The Boston Red Sox registered what might have been the most thrilling win of what has been an overall thrilling run of games over the last two months on Thursday, rallying time and again to beat the White Sox, 12-11 in 13 innings, a game that was finished by long reliever Brayan Bello and tested every pitcher in the bullpen. But that all began, unfortunately for Boston, with a shoddy performance from starter Ranger Suarez, who is continuing to struggle since coming back from a stint on the injured list with a groin strain he suffered on July 5.
Suarez struggled against Chicago, lasting just 3.0 innings and giving up four runs (three earned) on three hits (one home run) and two walks. It was the shortest stint of the season for Suarez, except for the 2.2 innings he threw in the start last month in which he was injured.
And amid the celebration of Chad Durbin‘s walk-off hit, Suarez was clear that he was not happy with himself on the night. Describing what was working in his arsenal, he said, “Nada. Literally nothing. The command of my sinker, cutter, change up wasn’t there.”
Ranger Suarez ‘Super Happy’ Red Sox Teammates Picked Him Up
Suarez was grateful to his Red Sox teammates for the resilience they showed while he scuffled, and for the extended work the bullpen put in–the Red Sox used nine pitchers in total.
Said Suarez: “They made my day. They made my day after that horrible start, I was here cheering for them, super-happy the guys never gave up. The bullpen did an amazing job, they pitched 10 innings, literally, so I was super happy and it definitely made my day. And I am proud of this team.”
Disturbing Trend for Red Sox Starter
Still, the outing was part of a disturbing trend for a guy who has slotted in nicely as the Red Sox’s No. 2 starter behind ace Sonny Gray this year, with Garrett Crochet injured–as well as a pitcher to whom Boston committed a five-year, $130 million contract. Before the injury, in 16 starts, Suarez had gone 4-3 in 88.2 innings, with a 2.94 ERA.
Including the game in which he was injured, Suarez has not had a decision in his last four starts, and has pitched a total of 14.1 innings with a 5.65 ERA, allowing 17 hits in that span. That’s a concern.
Chad Tracy Downplays Worries on Ranger Suarez
After the win on Thursday, Red Sox manager Chad Tracy downplayed the way Ranger Suarez looked in the win over Chicago. Tracy credited the White Sox’s patience.
Tracy said he had to pull Suarez amid his struggles after Chicago’s four-run third inning: “They did a really good job of staying off some pitches, I thought he threw some competitive pitches that just barely missed. And in that inning, were able to drive the pitch count up and get some walks. I think it was more that than anything else—it wasn’t like, egregious misses. They were very close.
“Sometimes he gets swings on those and he gets really quick, weak outs but it just didn’t happen. They were able to do that and when it was 41, 42 pitches in the inning, you gotta stop there.”
Red Sox Concerns Raised After Starter Showed ‘Nada’ in Thrilling Win