Rays sweep aside Boston
Red Sox embarrassed by Tampa in latest Fenway defeat
BOSTON — For Kyle Hart, it proved to be a long way from the Red Sox’ alternative site at McCoy Stadium.
The promise of a homegrown pitcher quickly evaporated as Hart was chased in the third inning of Thursday’s series finale against Tampa Bay. A leadoff walk was followed by five straight hits – two of which vacated Fenway Park – before manager Ron Roenicke pulled him from the game.
It wound up being an MLB debut to largely forget for someone who had been one of standouts of camp life at McCoy.
Hart earned high marks after retiring 34 of 38 batters over two simulated games, but facing Hunter Renfroe and Brandon Lowe represented a significant jump in weight class after the 27-year-old fooled a combination of Sox prospects and minor-league journeymen.
In two-plus innings Thursday, Hart was charged with seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and three walks while striking out four. The Rays generated a lot of loud contact at his expense en route to a 17-8 thumping that completed a four-game sweep of a Red Sox outfit that has now dropped eight of its last 12 ballgames.
“Physically, I felt pretty good. Mentally, it was a draining day. So many people reached out. I felt so much support and was really proud to go out and pitch and know I had that many people watching me,” said Hart. “The results weren’t even close to what I envisioned. Now I can put it behind me and continue to work and grow. I know I can compete at this level.”
Hart’s day got off to an inauspicious start as he walked the game’s first batter on four pitches. An error by second baseman Jonathan Araúz was followed by an RBI single by Yandy Diaz. Back-to-back strikeouts of Renfroe and Lowe put Hart on the verge of getting out of the first inning with just the one run, but a Willy Adams single made it 2-0 before the Sox could take their first cuts against Rays starter Tyler Glasnow.
Boston staked Hart to a 3-2 lead heading into the second on the strength of an RBI hit by Rafael Devers and a two-out, two-run double by Kevin Plawecki. Hart retired the first two batters in the second before issuing a walk. A swinging strikeout of Jose Martinez ended the frame.
The wheels completely fell off in the third as Tampa’s bats strung together a series of screaming shots that bloodied Hart’s ERA to a no-where-to-go-but-down 22.50. Renfroe and Lowe went from striking out to blasting back-to-back home runs. Both long balls came with two strikes. The carnage continued with a double and two singles that led to another two runs.
Hart did generate four swings and misses, none coming in the third. He threw 44 of his 73 pitches for strikes.
“I know the level of execution wasn’t there, but I envisioned [Tampa Bay] was going to come out swinging a lot more than they did. To their credit, they were really patient,” said Hart.
The bad day wasn’t limited solely to Hart. Devers committed two throwing errors as part of Tampa’s threerun uprising in the fourth inning. Marcus Walden took a page out of Hart and was pulled after failing to retire any of the six batters he faced in the sixth.
Glasnow didn’t hang around long enough to qualify for the win, which was credited to former PawSox pitcher Jalen Beeks (two scoreless innings, one strikeout).
Speaking to the media via Zoom from the Red Sox’ spring training facility, Chris Sale admitted that he should have undergone Tommy John surgery a lot sooner than he did.
“We gave it a real chance,” said Sale. “Last year, in hindsight, I should have had Tommy John surgery on Aug. 14 [the day after he appeared in his final game of the season].”
The procedure on Sale’s left elbow took place on March 30 and removed any hope that he would be available during this abbreviated 2020 season. Typically, a pitcher’s recovery time from Tommy John lasts 12-15 months.
“I think about myself pitching a lot,” said Sale. “I’m not so much worried about the [return] date. I want to pitch again and understand they’re going to put a certain date on it. Whatever that date it, that’s when we’ll go.”
If there’s one benefit to taking a major step backwards, it’s that Sale has ample time to rebuild his entire body before returning to the mound in a Red Sox uniform.
“I can hone my craft and focus on everything … knees, hips, and back,” said Sale, who is signed through the 2024 season. “You have so much time which is a good thing and a bad thing. The bad thing is that I’m itching to get back out there. The good thing is that I can take my time and really break everything down … see where the kinks in the armor are and get a foundation that’s going to be better for the long haul.”
EXTRA BASES: Xander Bogaerts wasn’t in the starting lineup Thursday but Roenicke said to not read too much into it. The shortstop was available to pinch hit. Bogaerts was lifted midgame Wednesday. “He’s got some stuff going on in his lower half, some fatigue,” said Roenicke. “He’ll be back in there (Friday).” … To make room for Hart on the active roster, the Red Sox optioned right-handed pitcher Robert Stock to the operation in Pawtucket. … The Red Sox’ 40-man roster is at 40 and their Club Player Pool is at 60 following Thursday’s acquisition of infielder Christian Arroyo, who has appeared in 71 major league games with the San Francisco Giants (2017), Tampa Bay Rays (2018-19), and Cleveland (2020). He’s logged MLB time at second base, shortstop, and third base. A former first round pick, Arroyo is a career .215 hitter. … Thursday’s game was briefly halted in the third inning after a drone was spotted over Fenway. The umpires motioned for the Red Sox players to get off the field. … Roenicke mentioned that it’s possible that reliever Josh Taylor (COVID-19) could join the Sox over the weekend. Taylor is one of the probable pitchers for Friday’s simulated game at McCoy. … The Sox turned to infielder Jose Peraza to pitch the ninth. He was forced to exit after taking a comebacker off the knee. The quandary resulted in Plawecki moving from catcher to pitcher and Tzu-Wei Lin from shortstop to catcher. “Pretty fortunate that he didn’t hit in a worse spot,” said Roenicke about Peraza. … Tampa Bay outscored Boston, 42-22, in the four games. … The Red Sox will carry an American League-worst 6-13 record into a four-game series against the Yankees. Boston will rely on a bullpen game Friday, start Nathan Eovaldi Saturday, and go with Martin Perez Monday. For now, Roenicke is holding off on naming a starter for Sunday’s game.