A 37 pitch 1st inning for Webster today, for the Pawsox in Indianapolis. At least 3 hard hit balls, 2 doubles, a wall, although the inning was extended a batter by a Cecchini error. As I write, I noticed that Webster recovered in the 2nd inning with just 14 pitches and 2 K's.
All in all, though, it would be nice to see some consistency out of either RDLR or Webster (not to mention Ranaudo). Although their ERA's are good to respectable, there have been a lot of "comebacks" after a bad early inning or great starts marred by a poor last inning. I'm just not sure any of the three are considered reliable as even a fill-in starter with the big club. If, for instance, the Sox found themselves with a rainout rescheduled as part of a DH (giving them 6 games in 5 days), the last thing they'd want is to have one of their Pawsox starters come up and and have to depart in the 3rd inning. My assumption, if they faced that situation, they'd add Britton as the 26th man, and give the start to Capuano.
I've preached patience, even while I'm impatient. But the meter is running on all of the Pawsox starters, save the younger Barnes. Amfox has noted that the severe 40 man roster crunch doesn't come until the end of next year, but that means that by next year the Sox want to be able to evaluate (at a AAA level) younger pitchers like Owens, Johnson and Couch before making decisions on their 40-man roster/Rule V draft eligibility. That means that RDLR/Webster/Ranaudo can't continue their post-graduate work forever.
Edit: And after climbing out on the ledge, Webster coaxes me back in, retiring the next 12 men he faced in order on 48 pitches. Including the last out of his 37- pitch first, he retired 13 in a row with 7 K's. Allowed 3 H, 2 ER, 2 ER, 1BB, 7K in 5 IP.
Second Edit: Even after 85 pitches, they elect to bring out Webster for the 6th inning, and he K's 2 more before a walk and single cause him to leave the game after 5.2 IP. Total 9 K/2 BB. 103 pitches - 66 strikes.