The last week feels like rinse and repeat for these Boston Red Sox. From Peyton Tolle, Brayan Bello (post opener), Ranger Suarez, and now tonight with Connelly Early, the starting rotation is doing just what they need to do for this ball club. It’s when they step up to the plate they’re still like ghosts. The Red Sox haven’t scored more than four runs in a loss since April 13th. That’s more than a month ago. Thankfully, instead of putting up a lead and giving it up, it was clawing back from a small
deficit, but it’s still just a frustrating watch. We’re onto tomorrow.
Also RIP Bobby Cox—you were one fiery dude and made watching baseball outside of Boston a joy to keep track of.
Studs
Connelly Early (5.0 IP 5H, 2 ER, 6K, 2HR)
These starting pitchers continue to just do their job. It felt like he really wanted to stay out there for the sixth but 86 pitches is fine for a young pitcher with so much season left.
Jovani Morán (1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 K)
Is this the Morán we’re supposed to be getting? Cause three strikeouts against one of the best offenses in the league—let alone sluggers like Matt Olson and Austin Riley—is damn good. Maybe this is an actually competent arm for the bullpen for once!
Marcelo Mayer and Micky Gaspar (combined 3-for-8, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB)
Yes, Gasper got caught stealing, but he did something not many Sox players can do at this point—drive in a run. Marcelo, sheeeeeeesh that was a moonshot to right-center field.
Duds
Tyler Samaniego (0.0 IP, 1 H, I R, loss)
This sucks to put Samaniego here for literally five pitches but he did get the loss. That’s the way the cookie crumbles.
Team RISP (especially Andrew Monasterio)
A combined 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position continues to underscore the woes of this Red Sox offense. Monasterio left two on base with two out, which hurts.
Team Baserunning (especially Jarren Duran and Ceddanne Rafaela)
Oh guys. Duran getting picked off in the first inning and then Rafaela getting caught stealing third in the fifth? I feel like each was so bad for different reasons. Duran is normally fantastic chaos on the base paths and it would have been great to get to Spencer Strider early. Instead? Momentum shift their way. Ceddanne hit a lead-off ground rule double and then wastes himself trying to get to third. Yes, Micky Gasper also got caught, but shhhhh. Both CS are from former friend Sandy Léon. Cool.
Play of the Game
You don’t get to extras without this gorgeous homer from Marcelo. Yes we got another Car Max ad and it rejuvenated his bat? He can keep making em if it’ll keep him hiting!
