Former Portland Sea Dogs pitcher William Cuevas, promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday, pitched seven strong innings in his PawSox debut, a 4-0 loss to the Syracuse Chiefs on Thursday night at Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

The right-hander allowed two runs and four hits while striking out five and walking two.

Cuevas, 24, started 19 games for the Sea Dogs this season, posting an 8-5 record with a 3.40 ERA. He also was a starting pitcher in the Eastern League All-Star Game at Hadlock Field on July 15.

Cuevas had never pitched above Class A ball until this year. The Venezuelan was signed by the Red Sox in 2008 and will become a minor-league free agent after this season.