Fister, Sox fizzle
Trip hits bump with ugly defeat
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Red Sox might need Doug Fister to make one more start after the All-Star break, but after last night his case for sticking in the rotation much longer than that looks awfully thin.
The veteran stopgap had been serviceable in his first two starts for the Sox, but walks, home runs and Fister’s own fielding error set the tone for an ugly 8-2 loss to the Rangers in the series finale in Texas.
The Red Sox next head to Tampa Bay for their final series before the All-Star break. They’ve already assured they’ll still be in first place when play resumes late next week.
Just how much job security Fister will have at that point is anyone’s guess.
Fister was claimed off waivers late last month when the Red Sox were once again scrambling for rotation depth, but after six runs in 32⁄3 innings last night, his ERA is at 6.14, and it would be even higher if not for the fact two of last night’s runs were unearned.
They were unearned because of Fister’s own throwing error.
With Eduardo Rodriguez on the verge of returning from a right knee subluxation, and Brian Johnson having made two rehab starts on his way back from a shoulder injury, there are reinforcements on the way.
The Sox play a doubleheader on the first Sunday after the break, which means they need six starters in a span of five days, but after that, it seems likely Fister’s rotation job will belong to someone else.
Question is, do the Red Sox move Fister into the bullpen as a long man, or do they release him to stick with another mid-season addition, veteran Blaine Boyer, who’s pitched well as a multiinning reliever?
“Here’s a guy (Boyer) in his 16th, 17th year in pro baseball, and it’s impressive,” manager John Farrell said. “When he’s got appropriate rest, he has very good stuff. But still, he’s durable and willing to pitch whenever called upon.”
Who stays and who goes is a decision for another day.
For now, the Red Sox are looking to get back on track after hitting a bump in the road of what had been a terrific road trip until last night. They had won six in a row, and their offense scored at least six runs in seven of their past eight games, but they were thoroughly stymied by Rangers starter Andrew Cashner.
There were two scattered walks and one fielding error. The Sox didn’t have a hit until Xander Bogaerts hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning.
That was the high point. Otherwise, it was an ugly night in just about every aspect of the game.
Fister allowed home runs in the second and third innings, then he misplayed a bunt in the fourth, opening the door to a three-run inning. In each of his previous two starts since the Red Sox picked him up from the Angels, Fister had allowed three runs and given the Sox a legitimate chance to win.
It was a different story this time.
And it didn’t get much better after he left the game.
Lefty Robby Scott relieved and continued his own rough patch with a two-run fifth inning. In his past four outings, the otherwise reliable Scott has allowed five runs on five hits in 31⁄3 innings.
“I just think at times he’s probably overthrowing, and we’re not seeing consistent sink as we have previously,” Farrell said.
The Bogaerts home run put the Red Sox on the board, but it did not exactly open the flood gates toward making this one much of a contest.
Mitch Moreland followed with a single, and Jackie Bradley Jr. had a base hit the next inning — his was deflected by a defender — but that was the extent of the offensive muscle. Thanks to three walks, they had three at-bats with runners in scoring position, but they did nothing with them.
The night was a dud. After fireworks for a week, the fifth of July went off without much of a bang for the Red Sox.
Most of the team will simply move on to play another day, trying to get back on track tonight against the Rays, but this was Fister’s last start before the break. And there’s little guarantee the Red Sox will still have a spot for him in the second half.