Third base causes woes
Defense a problem
The Red Sox have a conundrum at third base, and there’s no quick fix.
The Sox came into the season with the expectation there would be a platoon they could use based on matchups. But with all three of the group of Pablo Sandoval, Brock Holt and Marco Hernandez injured, it’s left the Sox scrambling.
The results have reflected that. Even when those three were playing, the Red Sox were showing an ineptitude at third base defensively, and the problem isn’t going away as they search for reinforcements.
In last night’s 5-4 loss to the Rays, Josh Rutledge, who assumed the starting role, committed an error, which was the 13th of the season for the team at the hot corner, and he probably could have been charged with another as the problem continued to amplify.
“It’s been a tough position for us, make no mistake about it,” Sox manager John Farrell said. “I think we’ve had five different players there. We’ve made far too many errors as a group. We’ve tried a number of people. Opportunity is there. Opportunity is there for someone to step up and grab the job, so while we’re in a position where we come into the season thinking we might be in a little bit of a platoon situation. We haven’t had the combination there all year to try and take advantage of the splits offensively, but defensively that’s gotta improve.”
Last night, Rutledge’s miscue was costly when in the fourth inning his throw to first base came up short and Mitch Moreland was unable to scoop it. That led to Tampa Bay’s first two runs of the game.
It could have been Rutledge’s second error of the night, too.
In the third, he doubleclutched a throw that arrived late at first. It was initially ruled an error, but later changed to an infield hit for Derek Norris.
Farrell couldn’t seem to point his finger on why his team is having so much trouble defensively at third.
“I don’t think this is a matter of inexperience,” he said. “We’ve had guys who have played that position, as far as Panda, as far as Josh, these guys have a number of years at the major league level, so that wouldn’t factor into, and yet, the performance speaks for itself.”
He still maintains a belief in them, though.
“I have to have confidence in them,” Farrell said. “They’re the guys we’re going to work with. We’ll continue to keep a structure around them. The early work is there, the effort is there, so that’s where the confidence comes from. Until further, this is who we have.”
Time change
With rain expected to shower the city tonight, the Sox moved up today’s game to 1:05 p.m., instead of the original 7:10 start time. Rain is expected to continue tomorrow, but for now that game is still on for a 1:35 p.m. first pitch.
Rain is expected to hit Pawtucket tomorrow, too, but either way, David Price will get in his work.
Price will make a rehab start with the PawSox as he works his way back from a left elbow strain. If rain postpones the game, Farrell said the left-hander will throw a 75-pitch simulated game indoors.
Hernandez all done?
As bad as third base has been, the Sox are running out of options in their own system.
Farrell said Hernandez, who’s on the disabled list with a left shoulder subluxation, hasn’t improved and may not be back this season.
Hernandez suffered the injury fielding a grounder on May 3 against Baltimore, and Farrell said it’s likely it will requires surgery, which would end his season.
“Things are moving in that direction,” the manager said.
The Red Sox won’t know for sure until Hernandez gets a second MRI in the coming days.
There was a bit of good news, though, as Farrell said Holt has been progressing as he works his way back from a case of vertigo.
Last night, Holt went 2-for-2 and played third for Pawtucket before being taken out in the sixth inning. “He’s making quality strides,” Farrell said.
Hanley on the mend
Farrell is optimistic Hanley Ramirez will be back in today’s lineup. Ramirez left Wednesday’s game in Milwaukee with a right trap muscle spasm.
“He came into the ballpark today a little bit improved,” said Farrell. “He’s going to be examined here when the doctors show up tonight, but even as the day wore on (Thursday), some of those spasms started to release a little bit.”
Chris Young started at DH last night and went 1-for-4.