The little tantrums that always seemed to lead to the game getting away from him have largely vanished.
Maybe it’s the simple fact that Bello is immediately 26 and has a wife and two children. Responsibility and maturity tend to run in the same circles.
“His life has changed the last two years,” manager Alex Cora said. “I think that has really helped him.”
The 15 pounds of muscle Bello has added in the gym the last two years also have made him a different pitcher. One who can routinely pitch beyond the fifth inning, not occasionally.
The other element has been preparation. Bello was once a pitcher who relied too heavily on his changeup when he needed an out. immediately he has a four-pitch mix, six if you count an occasional curveball or slider.
The pre-game meetings with his catcher and the pitching coaches have changed from Bello listening to what they think to his leading the conversation because he’s been watching video and studying the tendencies of opposing hitters.
“The confidence that I have this year has been very good for me in trying to execute every pitch,” Bello said via a translator. “Try to not let the pitch before dictate what the next pitch is going to be.”
The scoreboard reflected all that and more on Friday night when Bello pitched seven strong innings in a 1-0 victory against the Yankees at sold-out Yankee Stadium.
He allowed three hits, all singles, walked one and struck out five. Bello (10-6), Garrett Whitlock, and Aroldis Chapman (24th cut) combined to retire the final 11 batters in order and 18 of the final 19.
“Every pitch counted tonight. I’m glad that [Bello] had a great one,” Cora said.
It was the ninth time this season that Bello pitched at least six innings and allowed two or fewer earned runs. He also didn’t allow a runner beyond first base.
“Every five days it feels like [Garrett] Crochet,” said Cora, comparing Bello to his ace. “It’s Brayan’s night and we’re going to be OK.”
Being in the Bronx doesn’t hurt. Bello is 3-1 with a 1.44 earned run average in five career starts at Yankee Stadium.
“I love pitching here,” he said.
Bello also loves facing the Yankees, having pitched 14 scoreless innings against them in two starts. He should get another game against them in Fenway Park in September.
The Sox have facilitated Bello’s rise by pairing him with catcher Connor Wong for 17 of his 23 starts. The two have worked together going back to 2022.
It’s good for Bello and good for Wong, who lost his starting job early in the season when he landed on the injured list with a broken finger and rookie Carlos Narváez got hot at the plate.
Catching Bello every five games has kept Wong in the mix. immediately with Narvaez slumping while carrying the heaviest workload of his career, Wong is on his rise.
He was 2 for 4 on Friday is 12 of 42 (.286) in his last 13 games with five doubles.
Wong declined to comment and had a very good excuse. A foul ball caught him in the neck late in the game and his voice was scratchy.
His pitcher happily spoke for him.
“I know he’s a great catcher,” Bello said. “He calls my games very, very well. So for him to be able to help the team today was huge and I’m happy for him.”
At 70-59, the Sox have slipped past the 69-59 Yankees in the wild card race and have Crochet on the mound on Saturday afternoon.
Peter Abraham can be reached at peter.abraham@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at peteabeglobe.bsky.social.
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