So much for that momentum.
The Red Sox let a boost of energy slip away, as Boston failed to parlay Eduardo Rodriguez’s series-opening gem into anything more substantial Friday in a 7-4 loss to the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park. Josh Hamilton homered twice as the Rangers handed the Red Sox their fourth loss in five games.
Boston sits five games under .500 (22-27) with two more games on tap in Arlington before returning to Fenway Park for a seven-game homestand. Wade Miley will go Saturday for the Sox.
But first, let’s go over some notes from Friday.
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— Steven Wright provided a very predictable performance. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, though it wasn’t enough on this particular night.
Wright allowed three earned runs over 5 2/3 innings. The problem was that Boston’s bullpen allowed four runs between the seventh and eighth innings to erase any chance the Red Sox had of coming back.
Wright hasn’t allowed more than three runs or five hits in any of his three starts since joining the Red Sox’s rotation with Justin Masterson on the disabled list. He’s been a source of consistency, even when the run support hasn’t been there, and that should be considered when the Red Sox whittle their six-man rotation down to five bodies. (More on that in a moment.)
— The Red Sox’s bullpen has been one of the least-talked-about facets of team, in large because it rarely has been the difference, for better or worse, in ballgames this season. As such, it comes as no surprise that Boston’s ‘pen is a middle-of-the-road unit that lacks shutdown options beyond closer Koji Uehara and setup man Junichi Tazawa.
This could become an issue if/when the Red Sox right the ship in other areas and start to engage in more contests in which they’re trying to preserve late leads. Matt Barnes and Alexi Ogando have looked good in spurts, but both have had hiccups. And Craig Breslow looks more like his inconsistent, 2014 self than his impactful, 2013 version.
— Breslow was charged with two runs on three hits in an inning of work. The left-hander owns an 8.71 ERA (10 earned runs in 10 1/3 innings) over his last 10 appearances dating back to April 26.
One of the most discouraging aspects of Breslow’s season is that he’s retired the first batter he’s faced just seven times in 17 appearances. The first batter Breslow faced Friday, Leonys Martin, singled home Texas’ fifth run, which was charged to Ogando.
It’s hard to trust Breslow in high-leverage situations with men on base. Six of the eight runners he has inherited this season have scored.
— Could Joe Kelly go from rotation question mark to bullpen asset? One couldn’t help but wonder this as things played out in the later innings.
It’s likely the Red Sox will choose between Wright, Kelly and Rodriguez to occupy the final two rotation spots alongside Miley, Clay Buchholz and Rick Porcello following the upcoming homestand. If Rodriguez pitches well again Wednesday, Boston must ride the hot hand, leaving Wright and Kelly in a direct competition.
Kelly obviously has the higher ceiling, but his sporadic results leave much to be desired for a team searching for consistency. Perhaps keeping Wright in the rotation and shifting Kelly to the bullpen will be the move, which, in essence, could kill two birds with one stone if Wright continues to provide stability and Kelly adds some much-needed oomph in front of Uehara and Tazawa.
Just some food for thought.
— Hanley Ramirez went 85 at-bats between his 10th and 11th home runs. It then took him just six at-bats to smack No. 12.
— Blake Swihart executed a perfect hit-and-run in the fourth inning that knocked in Mike Napoli and sent Brock Holt from first to third. Swihart, batting left-handed, slapped a ball down the left field line.
The Red Sox have shown confidence in Swihart’s contact ability of late. And for good reason. The 23-year-old catcher is batting .333 (8-for-24) during a seven-game hit streak.
— Napoli and Red Sox manager John Farrell were ejected by home plate umpire Todd Tichenor in the eighth inning for arguing balls and strikes.
— The Pawtucket Red Sox came within five outs of tossing a combined perfect game against the Louisville Bats. The PawSox allowed only one baserunner in a 1-0 win, which was highlighted by six perfect frames from Brian Johnson.
Thumbnail photo via Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Images
