Red Sox Staff Understands What Goal Must Be Rest Of Season

The Red Sox excite fans with their offense and speed, but pitching hasn't been consistent since the MLB All-Star break.

Kutter Crawford's rough outing Wednesday night in Kansas City was part of those struggles. The right-hander gave up six runs off five hits in 3 2/3 innings in Boston's loss to the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Crawford struck out four batters while also walking three, and he gave up a home run to increase his league-leading total to 27.

The offense helped the Red Sox sneak by with wins Monday and Tuesday to help them remain in contention for an American League wild-card spot, but manager Alex Cora understood the pitching needs to be more consistent to avoid multiple tight contests. Pitching coach Andrew Bailey also understood that personal responsibility needed to be taken after Wednesday.

"It doesn't sit well with our pitching group," Bailey told reporters, per Sean McAdam of MassLive. "And I'm pretty sure I can speak for the pitchers in there, we don't want to have so many games where the offense has to dig us out of holes or have comebacks and then have to score again."

Boston received a reinforcement via Chris Martin's return from the injured list, and the reliever struck out the side Wednesday night.

The club will hope to rebound after a day off when it begins a weekend series against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park.