Red Sox Notes: Boston Must Reset After ‘Survival Mode’ Series Finale

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox were in “survival mode,” as manager Alex Cora put it.

Starting pitcher James Paxton exited due to a right calf strain just five pitches into the contest, which forced Boston go to the bullpen less than one inning into its series finale against the Houston Astros. Paxton said he felt a “pop.”

The Red Sox already entered the contest short-handed in the pitching department given Brayan Bello remains on the paternity list, Cooper Criswell is on the COVID-related injured list, Nick Pivetta was skipped in the rotation, etc.

“We had to somehow, some way, get 27 outs,” Cora said after Boston’s 10-2 loss. “Obviously, the score’s the score, but we were in survival mode from the beginning.”

“Today, it was very tough.”

It was so tough the Red Sox, who attended Rich Hill’s pitching showcase on Friday, turned to veteran first baseman Dominic Smith in the ninth inning.

Cora hinted at impending roster transactions and said the Red Sox now will have difficult decisions to make.

“Honestly, we’re going to sit down now and there’s going to be tough decisions incoming because we have to reset this,” Cora said. “We have to.

“We were like, ‘We’re good coverage-wise unless something bad happens,’ and it happened.”

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Here are more notes from Red Sox-Astros:

— It marked the first time the Red Sox had been swept at home since mid-April against the Baltimore Orioles. It’s only the fourth time this season the group was swept.

“Let’s not make it bigger than what it is,” Cora said. “We lost three games. We played well the first two, today they do what they — they put it on us. We got to turn the page and get ready for (Monday).”

— Boston was held to two or fewer runs for the first time since July 28 against the New York Yankees.

“I think we chased a little bit more than usual,” Cora said of the offense’s series against the Astros.

— Rafael Devers got the day off for the Red Sox, but Cora expects he will play Monday against the Texas Rangers.

— Brennan Bernardino, who allowed four runs on four hits, struggled with his command and location.

Bernardino hit the first batter he faced and allowed a runner to score on a wild pitch. The left-hander then allowed back-to-back home runs by Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez in the fifth inning.

“I’m just not making pitches, and some of the pitches I have made have been hit,” Bernardino said. “Just not going my way right now.”

— The organization’s “Big Three” of Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer and Kyle Teel have been promoted to Triple-A Worcester.

“It’s good for them,” Cora said. “Just go out there and keep getting better.”

— “Everything went well,” Cora said before the game regarding Liam Hendricks, who felt good after his simulation game Saturday. The impending return of Hendricks surely would help the reeling staff.

— Triston Casas believes he still needs more at-bats in his rehab, Cora said before Sunday’s game. Cora indicated Casas will remain in Triple-A Worcester throughout the next week — the WooSox have six consecutive home games starting Tuesday — and then will return to Boston. Casas, who last played April 20 due to torn cartilage in his ribcage, needs to be reinstated by Aug. 19.

“I expect him to be with us whenever it ends,” Cora said.

— Cora expects Bello will return from the paternity list and pitch the series opener against the Rangers on Monday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET, and you can watch it live on NESN after an hour of pregame coverage.