BOSTON — The Red Sox aren’t doing themselves any favors.
A 6-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday at Fenway Park dropped the Red Sox to 10-22 against American League East opponents this season. Boston is 3-8 versus Baltimore.
The current stretch is very important for the Sox, as they have 10 consecutive intradivision games, meaning Boston could make up ground in the AL East with a strong couple of weeks. Tuesday’s loss obviously wasn’t a good way to kick things off, though. The team now is back to 10 games under .500 (31-41).
Let’s run down some notes from Tuesday.
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— The Red Sox need to answer a few questions after another poor performance by Joe Kelly, who allowed five earned runs on eight hits over 3 2/3 innings while suffering his fifth loss.
First, they must decide whether a change is necessary. Statistically, Kelly has been among the worst starters in Major League Baseball this season. So while the Red Sox could decide his upside still is too high to pull the plug, it’s reasonable to think they could remove Kelly from the rotation.
If the Red Sox opt for a change, they’ll need to figure out what to do with Kelly. They could move him to the bullpen, option him to Triple-A Pawtucket or place him on the disabled list like they did with Justin Masterson last month amid his struggles.
They’ll also need to decide on a replacement. Masterson rejoined the Red Sox as a reliever Tuesday, but he could slot back into the rotation. Brian Johnson has pitched well at Pawtucket this season and appears ready to make the jump to the majors. Steven Wright, who was optioned to Pawtucket before Tuesday’s game, can’t return for 10 days unless he rejoins the Red Sox in a corresponding roster move with Kelly going on the DL. Otherwise, the knuckleballer would be a prime candidate.
Clearly, it’s a multilayered situation for the Red Sox. It’s also an important one. The most intriguing scenario would involve putting Kelly in the bullpen, where his repertoire could play better, and giving Johnson his first crack in The Show. Boston already has seen Eduardo Rodriguez make a successful leap.
— Mookie Betts extended his hit streak to a career-best 10 games. The reigning American League Player of the Week is hitting .538 (21-for-39) with three homers, four doubles and two triples during the streak.
Betts’ 10-game hit streak is tied for the longest by a Red Sox player this season. Dustin Pedroia also had a 10-gamer from May 21 to May 30.
— Pablo Sandoval owns a seven-game home hit streak. He’s batting .500 (14-for-28) in those contests after a 3-for-4 effort in which he produced three opposite-field singles.
Sandoval is batting .420 (21-for-50) in 13 games since his two-day breather June 5 and 6. He’s hitting .342 (41-for-120) against AL East opponents this season.
— Dustin Pedroia owns a 16-game home hit streak. He’s batting .409 (27-for-66) in those contests after a 1-for-4 effort in the series opener.
Pedroia also notched his 500th career walk. He’s the 19th player in Red Sox history to reach that total.
— Brock Holt went 0-for-4 but walked and drove in a run. Holt has reached base in each of the Red Sox’s last 17 games.
— For as much heat as Hanley Ramirez has received this season, he’s batting .326 (28-for-86) over his last 23 games after going 2-for-4.
— Blake Swihart, who has missed the last two games with a foot injury, is expected to be available Wednesday. However, Sandy Leon likely will start again with Clay Buchholz on the bump.
— Ryan Hanigan had two singles, walked and scored a run while serving as the designated hitter Tuesday in a rehab game with Pawtucket. He’s slated to catch for the PawSox on Wednesday.
— The Red Sox announced the signing of two more draft picks:Â center fielder Nick Hamilton (11th round) and outfielder Jerry Downs (15th round).
Boston has signed 16 of the 39 players it selected in this month’s draft.
—Â The Red Sox and the Boston 2024 Partnership marked Olympic Day by celebrating Olympians, Paralympians and 2024 hopefuls on Tuesday. The festivities featured a pregame ceremony with more than 175 Olympians, Paralympians and children who hope to compete in the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
