On Friday night, Red Sox bats couldn’t hit anything except perhaps a new low.
Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran reacts on first after hitting a single during the fifth inning of a game agains the Minnesota Twins Friday, but the Sox managed just two runs over 12 innings in a loss. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)Getty Images
In a 4-2, 12-inning loss to the Minnesota Twins that effectively ended what faint playoff hopes they had, the Red Sox tied a franchise record by striking out 20 times. They also stranded a season-high 17 baserunners and were a ghastly 1-for-19 with runners in scoring position.
Over the last three games, the Red Sox have managed just four runs in their last 30 innings. They’ve scored three runs or fewer in each of their last five games, six of their last eight and 18 of their last 27.
“We had plenty of chances, we didn’t cash in,” said Alex Cora. “Teams, at this stage, they’re pitching to the ‘blue,’ and you either cover it with your ‘B’ swing or take it and right now, we’re not there. This is how it works — sometimes you’re going to cash in and sometimes you don’t. From our end, we consider ourselves a good offensive team, and lately, we haven’t been.
“The numbers are right there. We had plenty of changes. It just didn’t happen.”
Trevor Story, who singled in the team’s first run Friday night and was responsible for both of their runs in Wednesday’s victory at Tropicana Field, said the team is mystified by their inability to produce at the plate.
“Frustrating man, it’s as simple as that,” he said. “It’s kind of hard to believe at this point that this is the way we’re playing offensively. It’s hard to imagine because I know the type of guys we have, the type of hitters we have. But we’re just in a funk right now that we can’t shake. Maybe (we’re pressing). I don’t know. Obviously, we’ve shown to be a much better offense than the last month and I think that’s more a reflection of who we are as an offense. But we just haven’t been able to get it done.
“It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it is, (whether) it’s trying too hard or whatever. If you could pinpoint it, you could kind of solve right there. But just collectively, it’s super frustrating.”
The worst part of the last month is the team has actually gotten mostly good performances from their starting pitchers, only to waste them. That was again the case Friday night, as rookie Richard Fitts gave them five scoreless innings and put them in position to win.
Such scenarios only amplifies the frustration level Red Sox hitters feel.
“Yeah it does for sure,” said Story. “The staff has done a great job. They’ve given us a lot of chances to win games and we just haven’t found a way to get that big hit and get it done. Earlier in the year, we found a way to get it done and now we’re just not doing that.”
The Red Sox had the winning run on third base in the ninth, 10th and 11th innings. They also had the bases loaded in the eighth inning. In each instance, a base hit or even a sacrifice fly might have made the difference. Instead, the Sox couldn’t produce.
“I know I had a couple of opportunities to end the game myself; just couldn’t get it done tonight,” said Tyler O’Neill. “We don’t like scoring one run every game. Everyone’s accountable, including myself. I’m right in the middle of it. Gotta be better. We know what’s on the line. We’re showing up to win every day and doing what we can. Things just aren’t going our way right now.”
The Sox are now five games out of the third wild card spot with only eight games remaining.
