Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: Scoops up win in relief

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Winckowski (3-1) gave up an unearned run and retired all three batters he faced en route to picking up a win Monday in the Red Sox's 5-4 extra-inning victory over the Rangers.

Winckowski was back in the bullpen two days after he was called upon to make a spot start in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Astros. He ended up serving as more of an opener for that contest, tossing 38 pitches over three innings of one-run ball before giving way to Brad Keller, who piggybacked him for four innings. Winckowski made quick work of the Rangers in his return to a relief role, inducing three groundouts to retire the side in the top of the 10th inning before the Red Sox broke through with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Given the light workload Monday, Winckowski could be a candidate to return to a starting role on three days' rest in Baltimore on Friday, when the Red Sox will require a replacement in the rotation for the injured James Paxton (calf). Cooper Criswell could end up serving as the longer-term replacement for Paxton, but he's currently on the COVID-19 injured list and may not be fully recovered from his illness to take the hill Friday.