If sequences are meant to be broken, the Boston Red Sox have one they’d especially like to break: They’ve given up at least seven runs in each of their last six games.
The next chance for Boston’s pitchers to make a difference will come Wednesday afternoon, when the Red Sox host the Seattle Mariners in the deciding game of a three-game series.
Boston has given up a total of 63 runs in those six games, most recently losing 10-6 to the Mariners on Tuesday. The Red Sox beat Seattle 14-7 on Monday, but they are just 3-8 since the All-Star break.
“I’m not surprised because it’s 162 (games). We’re playing with kids and they’re still learning,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “Just because they played so well for a month and a half doesn’t mean it’s the complete (package). …
“The growth continues. You can see it every day with the way we work. Challenge them with their defensive drills. We’re adding some things offensively to make them better. It doesn’t stop.”
“At 162 you have to go through a lot of ups and downs. We’re not perfect. We have a talented team, and our job as coaches is to work with them and help them get into the big leagues.”
Seattle’s Justin Turner, who was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, played first base and batted in the cleanup spot on Tuesday. He had a hit and scored two runs against Boston, the team he plays for in 2023.
“I’ve been through almost everything you can go through as a player,” Turner said before the game. “I’ve been traded a couple of times now, I’ve been designated for assignment, I’ve been non-tendered … been moved around a few organizations, so I’ve seen a lot of things, and hopefully I can help these guys in whatever way they need me to.”
Seattle’s Victor Robles, Jorge Polanco and Dylan Moore each added two hits on Tuesday.
“We’re really excited about our offense,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “Guys are really starting to come together. Certainly, the new players have helped, but some of the guys who have been here all year are also learning it.”
Boston made three errors on Tuesday that led to five unearned runs. Two of the three errors came in Seattle’s five-run fifth inning. The Red Sox lead the major leagues with 81 errors this season.
Wednesday’s projected starting pitchers are right-handers George Kirby (8-7, 3.03 E.R.A.) of Seattle and Brian Bello (10-5, 5.27) of Boston.
Kirby pitched seven scoreless innings in a 10-0 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday. It was his ninth consecutive perfect start.
Kirby, known for his exceptional control, has walked just 14 batters in 130 2/3 innings this season. His record is 2-1 with a 3.18 ERA in five career starts against the Red Sox, including a 1-0 victory on March 29 when he threw 6 2/3 shutout innings.
Bello has the highest ERA among pitchers in Boston’s starting rotation, but he is 3-0 with a 3.94 ERA in three career starts against Seattle. He beat the Mariners on March 28, when he threw five innings of two-run ball.
In his most recent outing, Bello was ejected after allowing three runs in five innings during Boston’s 9-7 win over the New York Yankees on Friday.
Seattle and Boston have played six games this season. Wednesday’s matchup is the final regular-season game between them, giving the winner an edge in the postseason tiebreaker.
Servais said Robles, who left Tuesday’s game because of hip soreness, will not play Wednesday.
–Field Level Media
