On Tuesday, the Red Sox got a knockout starting performance from rookie pitcher Connelly Early, who shut the A’s down with no runs allowed over 80 pitches in 5.1 innings, and outing that was cut short as Boston still wants to be wary of how the team’s No. 2 pitching prospect is handled here in September. The gem was still wasted in a loss, a 2-1 showing that took some of the juice out of the home debut for Early.
While the number of pitches thrown by Early was a concern for manager Alex Cora, the number of pitches thrown by the guy who relieved him–and ultimately took the loss–might be a worry now, too. That’s because Tuesday was a career-high 68th appearance for reliever Greg Weissert, who also happens to be just four outs short of his career high for innings pitched.
Red Sox Struggle to Score Again
The Red Sox were ahead, 1-0, with a runner on first base when Early was yanked from the game. Weissert got a strikeout of A’s slugger Brent Rooker but then allowed a game-tying double, a walk and another hit to allow a run in the fifth.
That set the score at 2-1, and the Red Sox could not scratch out another run from there.
“We lose that game because I can’t do my job,” Weissert said afterward. Of course, an offense that puts up only one run at home is far more to blame, but there is some concern over the workload that Weissert has carried this year.
Weissert has been reliable, at 6-6 with a 3.06 ERA. But things have not been great in September, and he has allowed five hits and three walks in his last five outings, covering 4.0 innings pitched. For the month, he is allowing a .313 batting average and a .396 on-base percentage.
Greg Weissert Insists He ‘Feels Fine’
Weissert leads the Red Sox in appearances and is behind only Garrett Whitlock for relief innings pitched this season. He is a key to the Red Sox putting together a strong stretch run and holding their own when they get to the playoffs. But he is almost certain to set a career high for innings before that.
“Physically, I feel fine,” Weissert said. “It’s been a lot of innings but it’s why I play the game. I want to be out there every day if I can. I have to shut that down in that situation, not let that inherited runner score.”
Alex Cora Explains Connelly Early Decision
After the game, Cora said the reason that Early was taken out in the fifth was not just that the team wanted to limit his pitches. It was the fact that Rooker was coming to the plate. Rooker was hitting .305 against lefties, so Cora wanted a righty–Weissert–in that spot.
“It’s about the guy that is hitting,” Cora said. “The game will dictate that we do. That’s a good big leaguer that hits lefties really well. The other guys have to do their job.”
Weissert did the job on Rooker. But not after that.
Red Sox Loss Reflects Concerns on Key Bullpen Arm