MILWAUKEE — Before he signed to play for an independent league team in 2011,Robby Scott was considering becoming a teacher. He also pondered pharmaceutical sales.
“I was hoping a baseball team would call. But after a while I was like, ‘I need to get on with my life.’ I started making calls about jobs,’’ he said.
A distant relative, former major league pitching coach Sammy Ellis, agreed to watch Scott throw and liked what he saw.
“I had never even met him before,’’ Scott said. “I went to where he lived in the Tampa area just to give myself a chance at something.’’
Ellis, who died last May, made some calls and that led to an opportunity for Scott. He pitched seven games in the independent league before the Red Sox signed him.
Now Scott is a key member of a surprisingly effective Red Sox bullpen after making his way through six seasons of minor league ball. At 27, the lefthander’s career is just getting started in many ways.
“You can never get comfortable. You always have to be working at the game and learning,’’ he said. “There’s no time for reflecting on what you’ve done. There’s always a game.’’
Scott has appeared in 20 games since the Sox called him up last September. He has allowed one earned run on nine hits over 13 innings, with two walks and six strikeouts.
Lefthanded hitters are 4 of 25 against him, 1 for 13 this season.
With Robbie Ross Jr. demoted to Triple A Pawtucket and Fernando Abad largely limited to low-leverage opportunities, Scott is the team’s primary lefty reliever. All of his appearances have come in the seventh inning or later.
“I’m not satisfied to have gotten this far. A chip on my shoulder got me to this point and I’m always going to want more,’’ he said “It’s fun to be up here with a great group of guys. But it’s all about winning. It doesn’t matter how you got here.’’
The Red Sox open a three-game series against Milwaukee on Tuesday. Scott could face Eric Thames or former teammate Travis Shaw in a big spot. The lefty sluggers have combined for 19 home runs and 46 RBIs this season.
“I start to get ready around the fifth inning and look at who I could face,’’ Scott said. “I know I’m probably going to get a lefty. However it works, I’ll be ready.’’
Wright has surgery
Steven Wright underwent a cartilage restoration procedure on his left knee at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York on Monday. Dr. Riley Williams III performed the surgery, which will keep the righthander out for the remainder of the season.
On Twitter, Wright wrote that the surgery went well and that he would start physical therapy on Tuesday.
An All-Star last season, Wright was 1-3 with an 8.25 earned run average in five starts before be opted for the surgery. He will be 33 next season when he attempts a comeback.
Minor accolades
Portland third baseman Rafael Devers was named the Eastern League’s player of the week. He was 11 of 25 with four home runs and 10 RBIs over seven games. The last Sea Dogs player to win the award was Andrew Benintendi last July.
Through Sunday, Devers was hitting .322 with six home runs and 17 RBIs.
Pawtucket lefthander Brian Johnson was named the International League’s pitcher of the week. He allowed one run on two hits in eight innings against Syracuse in his one start. Johnson retired 13 straight and lowered his ERA to 2.28. Johnson’s next start is scheduled for Tuesday against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
The IL’s player of the week was former Red Sox prospect Yoan Moncada. He was 11 of 22 with eight runs and 18 total bases for Charlotte.
National success
The Red Sox are 5-1 in interleague games and have won 22 of 29 against the National League going back to 2015. The Sox are 216-133 in interleague play since it began in 1997. In 172 career interleague games, Dustin Pedroia has hit .340 with a .900 OPS . . . The Sox are 4-1 in games started by Drew Pomeranz, who opens the series on Tuesday. He has not faced the Brewers since 2012 . . . Brock Holt was 0 for 4 as Pawtucket’s designated hitter in an injury rehabilitation game. Holt, who is on the disabled list with vertigo, is 3 for 16 in five minor league games.
