But maybe there’s still time to dream.
Kelly was the choice to start Sunday’s bullpen game against the Reds. Instructed to go as far as he could, Kelly threw 2⅔ shutout innings in a game the Sox went on to win, 7-4, at Great American Ball Park.
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“We asked certain guys for a lot today in the pitching department,” manager Alex Cora said. “We threw the ball well. Zack keeps pounding the strike zone with good stuff.”
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Kelly retired eight of the nine batters he faced, striking out three and allowing only a single. He has been used twice as a starter this season and pitched 4⅔ scoreless innings, the Sox winning both games.
“It’s fun. I enjoy it, changing the routine every now and then,” Kelly said. “Like we talk about in the bullpen, do your job and hand off the baton. It was a good day all around for the boys.”
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Kelly prepares for “starts” as he would a relief appearance, playing catch before the game and warming up in the bullpen before running in to take the mound.
Cora didn’t give him a goal beyond going as long as he could. Kelly threw 33 pitches (21 strikes) then watched seven bullpen comrades finish the game.
Brennan Bernardino followed Kelly and allowed a run. Greg Weissert (3-1) was the winner with a scoreless fourth inning. Cam Booser, pitching for the third consecutive day, also worked a scoreless inning.
The only reliever who truly stumbled was Brad Keller. The Sox were hoping he would pitch two or three innings but he allowed three runs in the sixth.
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Chris Martin, Justin Slaten, and Kenley Jansen set down nine of the 11 batters they faced to close it out.
Jansen recorded his 15th save, the fourth in what was a 5-1 road trip. The Sox have won seven of eight games and nine of their last 11.
At 42-36, they are six games over .500 for the first time since last season. They hold the third wild-card spot in the American League, which is not something many expected would be the case in late June.
Offensively, the Sox were led by their usual suspects in recent days.
Jarren Duran was 3 for 5 with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored to extend his hitting streak to 13 games.
Connor Wong cracked a two-run homer in the fourth to run his hit streak to 13 games. Rob Refsnyder also had a two-run homer.
Reds starter Nick Lodolo, a tough lefthander who won his five previous starts, allowed four runs (three earned) over 4⅔ innings.
“We’re rolling right now,” Duran said.
Duran is 21 of 49 with seven extra-base hits, 10 runs, and five stolen bases in the last 11 games. The hot streak has him up to .288 with an .835 OPS.
He doesn’t see it as one good game leading to the next. For him, every day is a fresh start.
“It’s how you prepare,” Duran said. “I think it’s important to flush the day before and prepare for the next game. You can’t get caught up in the past.”
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Cora has taken advantage of the roster to create favorable matchups during games, knowing he can shift players around defensively. Duran is part of that, moving from left field to center Sunday when Ceddanne Rafaela went to shortstop.
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“We’re very dynamic,” Cora said. “We went from a roster that had some question marks early on in the season and now it feels like it’s one of the best rosters — position player-wise — that we’ve had in a while.
“From 1-13, we’re not afraid to play them. We’re in a good spot right now.”
The Sox return to Fenway Park on Monday night to face the Blue Jays in the start of a six-game homestand. Tanner Houck has the start.
With the bullpen working 13⅔ innings the last two days, adding a fresh arm from Triple A is possible. Either way, a deep start by Houck is needed.
Kelly is standing by if he needs any advice.
Peter Abraham can be reached at peter.abraham@globe.com. Follow him @PeteAbe.
