Red Sox Notes: Boston Clearly ‘Frustrated’ After 20-Strikeout Showing

BOSTON — The Red Sox have struggled offensively for a month and there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight.

And one day after getting one-hit by the Tampa Bay Rays, Boston’s offense found a way to top that poor showing and reach a new low.

The Red Sox collectively struck out an egregious 20 times in a 4-2 loss in 12 innings to the Minnesota Twins on Friday night at Fenway Park. The eye-popping strikeout total wasn’t the only black mark for the Red Sox in the game. They also left 17 runners on base and went 1-for-19 with runners in scoring position.

There was only one way for them to feel after that type of performance.

“Frustrating, man. As simple as that,” Trevor Story said. “Just kind of hard to believe at this point that this is the way we’re playing offensively. It’s hard to imagine because I know the type of guys we have, the type of hitters we have. But we’re just in a funk right now that we can’t shake right now.”

It seems like everyone in the Red Sox order currently is going through a slump. Every member of Boston’s starting lineup Wednesday struck out at least once, with Tyler O’Neill leading the way with four punchouts. Boston’s two through four hitters — Rafael Devers, O’Neill and Triston Casas — combined for 10 strikeouts.

“We just haven’t been able to get it done, trying too hard or whatever,” Story said. “But if you can pinpoint it then you could solve it right there. Just collectively, super frustrating.”

Boston still had plenty of chances to earn a win Friday even with the strikeouts piling up. They left the bases loaded in the eighth, stranded runners at the corners in the ninth and left four runners in scoring position over the first two frames of extra innings.

Story said it’s even more frustrating for the Red Sox since they are getting strong starting pitching over this rough stretch. But whether it’s the rotation, bullpen or Boston’s position players, there’s a common feeling from the Red Sox seeping out of the clubhouse with their playoff hopes all but over.

“I think everybody’s frustrated,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “We don’t split it up.”

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Here are more notes from Friday’s Red Sox-Twins game:

— Devers has labored through injuries for most of this season and exited the game in the top of the 11th with a right shoulder injury. Cora said his season is likely over and it will end on a sour note for Devers, who struck out 11 times in his last 15 at-bats.

“No, he’s not (OK),” Cora said. “You saw him throwing today. It was bothering him, actually when he hit inside he felt it. He’s going to get an MRI (Saturday) and see where we’re at and probably this is it for him.”

— Richard Fitts made franchise history by becoming the first Red Sox pitcher to throw five or more innings and allow zero earned runs in his first three career starts. The 24-year-old right-hander tossed five scoreless innings in which he scattered five hits, walked one and struck out three. He has started his MLB career with 15 2/3 innings.

“It’s something to hang my hat on for sure, but I don’t want to go five innings. I want to go six, seven, eight innings,” Fitts said. “And that’s something I need to work on just as far getting ahead in counts and giving us the best chance to win.”

— Story might just be the only member of the Red Sox finding a groove at the plate. He went 2-for-4 with two walks and an RBI in the loss and is now batting .375 over his last seven games.

— Vaughn Grissom joined the Red Sox late on Friday as Boston recalled him and placed Rob Refsnyder on the injured list with a right forearm strain. Grissom actually got into the game in the top of the 11th when Devers came out and got an at-bat — he grounded into a fielder’s choice.

— The Red Sox will try to get back at the Twins on Saturday. Kutter Crawford will get the start for Boston with first pitch from Fenway Park scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET. You can watch the game, plus an hour of pregame coverage, on NESN.