The Red Sox have gotten everything they could’ve wanted in the returns of Roman Anthony and Trevor Story, who have not stopped hitting in the first four games back in action. That goes for the offense as a whole in the series with 17 runs across, though a clearly-gassed pitching staff struggled again in an 8-3 loss.
Not time for panic yet, they had some cushion for the second AL Wild Card spot to begin with, but the Red Sox do need some wins stacked in September soon, even as they give valuable veterans
a breather this month.
Here’s three takeaways from Wednesday afternoon’s loss.
LEFT FIELD DEFENSIVE = DECISIVE
Randy Arozarena threw out Mickey Gasper when he never should have been sent home in the first inning.
Jarren Duran airmailed third base and allowed two runs to score in the fourth inning.
Two throws by each left fielder made a rather profound impact on the outcome in this one.
SANDOVAL SHAKY
Patrick Sandoval looked excellent in The Bronx on Friday with just one earned run allowed with seven strikeouts against the Yankees. He had a different story Wednesday as his velocity ticked down and he fell into deep counts consistently.
The lefty surrendered four runs in four innings in an ill-timed short outing for Boston, giving way to a similar fate to Brayan Bello and the bullpen.
WORRIED ABOUT ADLEY?
The Red Sox played the entire series without Adley Rutschman, who continues to deal with an elbow issue as Chad Tracy discussed on WEEI this week. The talented catcher has hit just .170 in 15 games since joining Boston at the trade deadline. To go deep in October, the ballclub has to find a way to get Rutschman by and contribute alongside other talented hitters in the middle of the order.
