Lucas Giolito had a harsh self-assessment of his latest start for the Boston Red Sox.
Following an eight-inning gem against the Houston Astros, Giolito struggled with his command during Saturday’s 5-4 loss to the San Diego Padres. The 31-year-old surrendered four runs in 4 2/3 erratic innings.
Giolito walked four straight batters in the fifth frame, including the tying and leading runs. He explained what happened after the game, via NESN on X.
“I felt a little uncomfortable today, but we were battling and pitching OK,” Giolito said. “In the fifth inning, I lost feel for my mechanics, and I just couldn’t make the adjustment. Inexcusable.”
Boston took Giolito off the hook when Roman Anthony hit a game-tying RBI double off Padres closer Robert Suárez in the ninth inning. Aroldis Chapman allowed the ghost runner to score the walk-off run in the bottom of the 10th.
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Giolito didn’t receive his third loss of the season, but he took the blame for Saturday’s defeat.
“I truly believe that, if I had just gotten out of that fifth inning, made the adjustment, then we would have won that game,” he said. “Chappy would have been pitching for a save instead of in a tie-game situation. I know the way baseball works, the L doesn’t go next to my name. But it should. That was really bad.”
Saturday’s season-high six walks were uncharacteristic for Giolito, who issued eight free passes in each of the previous three months. He entered the outing with a 6.9 walk percentage that represented his lowest season rate since 2017 (6.7% in 45 1/3 innings).
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Giolito also collected just one strikeout and allowed a solo home run to former Red Sox star Xander Bogaerts in the second. The 6-foot-6 hurler still wields a commendable 3.77 ERA this year.
If Boston keeps its starting rotation on schedule, Giolito can redeem himself next week against the Miami Marlins.
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