Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to the Athletics at Fenway Park was frustrating on multiple levels for the Boston Red Sox. They continued to struggle at the plate, going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and leaving nine men on base.
The Red Sox pitched well, but not quite good enough to win. Connelly Early was outstanding in his second career start, allowing one run on five hits and no walks with seven strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings.
The run scored after he left the game, however, with one out and a runner on first in the top of the sixth. Greg Weissert replaced him after just 80 pitches and immediately struck out Brent Rooker for the second out, but he wasn’t able to get out of the inning.
Weissert allowed an RBI double to pinch-hitter Tyler Soderstrom, tying the game at 1-1. He then walked Carlos Cortes and allowed a go-ahead single to Brett Harris — which proved to be the difference — before being pulled for Justin Wilson.
After the game, Weissert was visibly frustrated and annoyed at himself for coming up short during such a critical moment.
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“We lose that game because I can’t do my job. It’s so important to get it to (Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman),” Weissert said via MassLive’s Christopher Smith. “We’re fighting all game. Early pitches an unbelievable game and I go in there and do that bull****. It sucks.”
Weissert took the loss, falling to 6-6 with a 3.06 ERA this season. His nine blown saves are tied for the most in MLB.
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However, Weissert wasn’t the reason Boston lost. His teammates didn’t capitalize on scoring opportunities and didn’t do enough to win, squandering Early’s gem and failing to deliver the big hit when they needed it.
The Red Sox have now lost four of their last five games and are 4-7 since Roman Anthony went down with an oblique injury. They’ll try to bounce back on Wednesday behind Lucas Giolito (10-4, 3.31 ERA), while the Athletics will counter with Mason Barnett (1-1, 8.53 ERA).
