For each strong outing, the reliever has returned with a subpar performance. Through 13 appearances for the Pawtucket Red Sox, Bard has recorded an 8.16 ERA and allowed 13 runs while walking 10 batters.
Despite the lingering control issues, PawSox manager Arnie Beyeler is confident that Bard is headed in the right direction.
“We get positives out of every time he goes out there,” Beyeler said. “Even the rough performances, he gets positives out of that. It’s nothing he hasn’t been through before and he’s got to continue to come back and be consistent and get through it.”
Last week, Bard battled through his worst outing in Triple-A, plunking two batters and tossing two wild pitches in a game against Rochester. But in his last start, Bard shook off the disastrous experience, throwing 12 pitches –– nine for strikes –– to log a scoreless inning.
“He’s got to get his confidence back, that’s the bottom line, and be able to repeat [his delivery] and be consistent,” Beyeler said. “He’s doing what he can do, he believes in himself. Everybody believes in him and he’s just got to go out and perform and get it done.”
More than a month removed from his time with the Red Sox, Bard has fanned 16 batters in Triple-A.
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