Eduardo Rodriguez’s brilliant major league debut was supposed to build momentum, right?
That hasn’t been the case.
The Boston Red Sox have been outscored 15-4 in their two games against the Texas Rangers since Rodriguez’s gem. Saturday’s performance was especially ugly, as the Red Sox committed almost as many errors (three) as they produced hits (five) in an 8-0 loss at Globe Life Park.
The Red Sox have lost five of six games on their current seven-game road trip, dropping them to six games under .500 (22-28) and in last place in the American League East. Perhaps returning home Monday will help Boston’s cause, but things are spiraling out of control at this point.
Let’s run down some notes from Saturday.
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— Wade Miley couldn’t continue his strong month. The left-hander lasted at least six innings in his previous five May starts, yet he was removed with no outs in the fifth after a shaky outing.
“I didn’t execute pitches,” Miley said. “Once you fall behind, you eliminate the room for error. … That’s on me. I’ve got to do a better job.”
— Dustin Pedroia has been Boston’s most vocal leader this season. Nothing changed in that regard after Saturday’s loss, as the second baseman was blunt about his team’s effort.
“We really didn’t do anything,” Pedroia told reporters in Arlington. “We played terrible. No energy. That was bad. You guys watched it. There’s nothing you can say. We were bad.”
— Red Sox manager John Farrell also appeared as frustrated as he’s been all season.
The Red Sox’s longest winning streak to this point was a three-game stretch in the second week of the season. Inconsistency has reigned supreme ever since.
“Yes,” Farrell responded when asked if he’s surprised the Red Sox haven’t gotten on a roll. “Quite honestly, yes.”
— Farrell also was very direct when asked about Hanley Ramirez’s outfield defense.
Ramirez again looked shaky in left field, fumbling around with a ball in the corner in the first inning and allowing a playable ball to drop in the fourth.
“It’s a work in progress. That goes without saying,” Farrell said. “The tentativeness is included, in particular.”
— Brock Holt, starting in place of shortstop Xander Bogaerts, committed two throwing errors.
Holt also committed a throwing error May 21 against the Rangers while playing third base. Prior to that miscue, Holt had gone 56 games (51 starts) without an error. That streak spanned 168 chances over 476 2/3 defensive innings at six different positions.
— David Ortiz showed offensive life in his return. He collected two hits, including a double to left-center field in the sixth inning that broke up Chi Chi Gonzalez’s no-hit bid.
Big Papi made an ill-advised decision on the bases, though. He was tagged out between third and home during a rundown that ensued following a comebacker to the mound.
— The Red Sox’s hope was that Rusney Castillo would provide a spark. He hasn’t.
Castillo is batting .192 (5-for-26) with zero extra-base hits following an 0-for-3 effort. The Cuban outfielder also misread a fly ball in the fourth inning that allowed two runs to score.
— A couple of fundamentally sound tweets from the Providence Journal’s Tim Britton really puts the Red Sox’s troubles into context.
[tweet https://twitter.com/TimBritton/status/604848254241677312 align=’center’%5D
[tweet https://twitter.com/TimBritton/status/604851472120082432 align=’center’%5D
— The Red Sox outrighted utility man Jeff Bianchi to Triple-A Pawtucket before Saturday’s game. The 28-year-old elected free agency.
— If you’re searching for something positive, look no further than Yoan Moncada. The 19-year-old Cuban prospect hit his first professional home run with the Greenville Drive.
Thumbnail photo via Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports Images
