Luis Vasquez' performance wasn't lost on his manager at AA New Britain this night in April 1988, even if he did take the loss, according to The Hartford Courant.
Vasquez struck out 10 batters and at one point set down 20 in a row, but he still took the 3-2 loss, The Courant wrote.
"He was outstanding after the first inning," New Britain manager Dave Holt told The Courant of Vasquez. "We are just not getting enough clutch hitting."
Vasquez turned in that performance in his fourth season as a pro - a season where he would also see AAA for the first time. But, in a career that spanned seven campaigns, and saw him at AAA over four, he ultimately missed the majors.
Vasquez' career began in 1985, signed by the Red Sox out of his native Venezuela.
Vasquez started with the Red Sox at short-season Elmira. He went 2-4, with a 3.45 ERA over 18 outings, 9 starts. He moved to single-A Winter Haven for 1988 and went 15-3, with a 3.39 ERA over 31 outings, 22 starts.
He then made AA New Britain and AAA Pawtucket for 1988, going 8-13 overall, with a 2.93 ERA. He picked up a complete-game win in June 1988 for New Britain, closing out the game with two strikeouts, The Courant wrote.
"I was working my fastball," Vasquez told The Courant after that game. "My last few pitches were up about 90 miles an hour."
Vasquez moved to the Reds system for 1989. He played that year at AAA Nashville. He went 11-13, with a 4.60 ERA. He then hurt his arm in Venezuelan winter ball and didn't make it back to the field until May 1990, back with Nashville.
Vasquez saw 18 starts for Nashville in 1990, then split time between AA Chattanooga and Nashville in 1991. After getting back to Nashville, Vasquez described the AA experience to The Nashville Tennessean.
"It was best for me, even though I didn't think so at the time," Vasquez told The Tennessean. "I worked very hard and I think it has helped me."
Vasquez went 8-7 between the two levels in 1991, with a 3.60 ERA. That season proved his last as a pro.
- Hartford Courant, April 21, 1988: Britsox lose to Senators, drop to 1-9
- Hartford Courant, June 9, 1988: Britsox win 3-2 on pitch-hit single
- Nashville Tennessean, June 8, 1991: Stint in Class A aids Sounds' Vasquez
Made the Majors:1,314-33.4%
Never Made Majors:2,622-66.6%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:535
10+ Seasons in the Minors:328
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