Red Sox-Orioles: Penny Picks a Good Night To Throw a Gem

Well the losing streak is over thanks to a dominating performance from Brad Penny.

The Boston Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 tonight, which snapped their five game losing streak. Starting pitcher Brad Penny went 6.1 innings and he gave up no earned runs while allowing five hits and striking out four.

Penny threw over-power stuff throughout the game. His fastball reached up to 99 MPH and was regularly around 97 MPH. 

This is a perfect time to have a solid performance from Penny. Not only does this snap the Sox losing streak, this increases Penny's trade value tremendously as the July 31 deadline is now less than a week away.

Reports from many sources state that Boston might be wary to trade Penny due to pitcher Tim Wakefield being placed in the 15-day disabled list a few days earlier. Boston does have Smoltz pitching and trying to find his own, and Clay Buchholz is beginning to redeem himself from his terrible stint last year.

ESPN's Buster Olney reported a couple days ago that the Milwaukee Brewers' scouts had been taking a close look at Penny. Olney also stated that Boston would expect to trade Penny for a Grade B prospect due to "Clay Buchholz waiting in the wings and Daisuke Matsuzaka showing progress in his rehab."

Olney reported that on July 20, two days before Wakefield was placed on the 15-day DL. So that chances of Penny being traded might have decreased of late.

Boston might be sceptical about trading a proven Major League starting pitcher because of All-Star Wakefield being hurt, but it was only the 15-day DL. Boston might be just doing that to give Wakefield a little time-off because he is 42 years old.

July 31 is coming closer and closer, the Red Sox will deal Penny away if the right prospect is offered. Don't expect too much in return for Penny in regards for the present season.