Cashner: It’s not a total loss
Encouraged by start in return to Camden
BALTIMORE — A week after being traded by the Orioles, Andrew Cashner returned to Camden Yards and enjoyed the experience of pitching against his former team, even if that familiarity may have cost him.
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
Still, in his second start with the Red Sox, he was encouraged by his effort.
After giving up six runs (five earned) on eight hits in his Red Sox debut last Wednesday, Cashner returned to his old stomping grounds and was a little bit better. He went six innings and gave up four runs on six hits – including two homers to Trey Mancini, who’s one of his better friends from the Orioles.
With the way the Red Sox are capable of hitting, that’s usually a good enough effort for a win, but they were onehit by the Orioles in a 5-0 loss.
“I thought I had really good stuff,” Cashner said. “I thought I just made two mistakes, but Mancini’s a good hitter and he made pretty good swings on both those balls.”
Cashner was excited to face his former teammates, and that part seemed to meet his expectations. He said it wasn’t strange at all, though he noted it would have been nice to avoid the heat. It was 96 degrees at first pitch.
“I thought it was really hot,” Cashner said. “Other than that, I mean, it’s fun. You’ve battled with those guys all year, so it was fun to face them. I just wish it could have been maybe a night game.”
Cashner settled into a nice rhythm after giving up a tworun shot to Mancini in the third. He set the O’s down in order on eight pitches in the fourth, and the last three innings he threw were scoreless. He struck out 10.
He was outpitched, though, by Asher Wojciehowski, who submitted 7⅓ shutout innings and allowed just one hit, a Rafael Devers double in the seventh. Cashner praised the effort, but issued a caveat.
“He’s got a really good breaking ball,” Cashner said of Wojciehowski. “Tip your cap on a day like today. He had it going on. He located down and away. I thought he got more calls than I did, but that’s just the way it goes.”
Perhaps most importantly, Cashner provided innings for a Red Sox team that’s been missing consistency from their fifth starter spot this season.
“That’s what we’re looking for — length,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “We haven’t been able to do that in that spot the whole season. Although it was four (runs), I know he’s not happy with it, but six innings, it’s good for us. We know we can score runs.”
And though Cashner has started his Red Sox career with a pair of losses, he likes where he is.
“I thought I threw the ball really well today,” Cashner said. “Couple of adjustments here and there, I think I’m right where I want to be.”
Benintendi slumps
Almost everyone on the Red Sox struggled on Sunday, but a difficult stretch continued for Andrew Benintendi. After an 0-for-3 showing, he’s now 5-for-34 (.147) with 11 strikeouts since the All-Star break. One of those punchouts included going down to a position player when Orioles outfielder Stevie Wilkerson got him swinging late in the Red Sox’ victory on Saturday.
“He’s been frustrated,” Cora said. “You see it, so just have to stick with him. He’s been working hard the last few days trying to get it. He’s been working hard for the whole season trying to get it. It hasn’t happened. …
“It’s wearing on him. Like (Saturday), striking out against a position player. I don’t care who you are, you’re going to be down. … You can see him, he’s frustrated. It’s our job to stay with him and talk to him and help him through this process.”
Moreland or less
Mitch Moreland (quad) played one final game in Pawtucket on Sunday, and Cora said he would talk to the first baseman after on what his next step would be. With the PawSox heading on the road, it’s possible he joins the Red Sox for this week’s series in Tampa.
“This is a guy we need, so talk to him after the game, see how he feels and if he needs a little bit more, he’ll get it,” Cora said. “If not, he’ll be ready for Tampa.”
Michael Chavis (back spasms) didn’t play Sunday, but Cora was hopeful the rookie would be ready to return for Monday’s opener against the Rays.