Despite the overall good performance of the Red Sox bullpen this season, there exists some significant concern about whether this group of relievers can get the big outs against the league's best teams in October. The work of two relievers in the seventh and eighth innings Friday night did nothing to assuage those fears.
First, Ryan Brasier allowed two inherited runners -- and one of his own doing — to score as the Red Sox saw a 2-0 lead turn into a 3-2 deficit. Then, after the Sox rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh, Joe Kelly stumbled through an awful eighth inning, allowing four hits, a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch, good for three runs.
Afterward, Kelly hinted that his outing was more about bad luck, noting that the first three hits off him were ground balls.
For his part, Alex Cora suggested that the issue was more about execution and game plan and professed confidence in his bullpen, despite the outcome.
"Obviously we have to do better,'' said Cora. "I'm comfortable (with the roles). But we still have to execute. Stuff-wise, we're still throwing very hard. But we didn't execute.''
Everything else you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 6-3 loss to the Astros, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Price shines in return: The poor work by the bullpen spoiled a tremendous start from David Price, who was returning to the rotation after being struck on his left wrist in his last start on Aug. 29. Price allowed just one hit over the first six innings and entering the seventh, had pitched to just two hitters over the minimum. retiring 14 in a row at one point. Price showed excellent command of both his two-seamer and four-seamer and was seemingly able to locate either with precision, helping him rack up 10 strikeouts, seven of them looking. "Excellent,'' concluded Cora. "(Able to command) both sides of the plate. He was very similar to his outing against the Indians (in August) as far as command and keeping them guessing. He did an outstanding job. Price said he felt "pretty good,'' though was disappointed that he stumbled some in the seventh -- allowing a leadoff double to Alex Bregman and a one-out walk to Tyler White -- "when I really needed to make pitches.'' Price ended up with a no-decision and didn't get through the seventh, but his stuff and ability to locate erased any concerns the Sox may have had following his injury.
Barnes unavailable for a few days: As if the bullpen news wasn't bad enough in the seventh and eighth innings, Cora revealed post-game that Matt Barnes, who has handled the eighth inning more than anyone else for much of the season, is dealing with inflammation in his left hip and was unavailable Friday night. Barnes has been dealing with the issue for about 10-12 days, Cora said, and has been able to pitch through any discomfort. His last outing came Monday in Atlanta. He underwent an MRI on the hip during Monday's off-day, revealing the inflammation. "As of now, we're going to stay away from him,'' said Cora. "We're going to take care of him and get him healthy and whenever he's ready (he'll be back).'' Barnes is undergoing daily treatment. With expanded rosters, there's no need to place him on the DL. Cora estimated that he'll be available again "in a few days.'' The injury doesn't seem to be too serious, but at a time when the Sox are desperate for answers in the late innings, the timing isn't good.
TURNING POINT
Given how the bullpen imploded, it may not have made much difference in the outcome, but the Sox had a chance to build on their lead in the fifth and failed to do so. Leading 2-0, they got a break when a third strike to Sandy Leon got away on a wild pitch, enabling the catcher to reach first. After Jackie Bradley struck out, Mookie Betts singled up the middle, giving the Sox first-and-second with one out and the heart of their order due. But Andrew Benintendi lined out to left, and after the Astros pitched around J.D. Martinez to fill the bases, Xander Bogaerts fanned, stranding three.
TWO UP
J.D. Martinez: Martinez knocked in two of the three Red Sox runs -- the first with a sacrifice fly in the first inning, and the third with a single up the middle in the seventh. He has 34 multi-RBI games, tops in MLB.
Xander Bogaerts: With his fourth inning solo homer to dead center, Bogaerts established a career-best in RBI (90) and reached 20 homers for the second time in his career.
ONE DOWN
Mitch Moreland: Moreland was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and his batting average has dipped to a season-low .247.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"I didn't have ground balls at people.''
— Kelly, answering the question, What didn't you have tonight?'
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- The Red Sox were just 1-for-9 with RISP.
- David Price tied a season-high with 10 strikeouts.
- Bogaerts became the fourth Red Sox shortstop to have multiple 20-homer seasons
- Betts has scored eight runs in his last 10 games.
- The Red Sox are 12-31 when they score three runs or fewer and 85-14 when they score four or more.