The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Canning struggles again in loss to Red Sox
BOSTON >> The nightmare start to Griffin Canning’s season continued Saturday.
The Angels right-hander gave up seven runs in four innings in a 7-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox, raising his ERA to 9.88 after three starts.
“Not really sure,” Canning said when asked to explain the rough start to his season. “I can’t really seem to miss some bats or get some balls hit to our guys. Sometimes it’s just baseball.”
Canning has now allowed 15 earned runs in 13 2/3 innings.
It’s been a disappointing start for a pitcher who pitched well most of last
season, after returning from a back injury that cost him half of 2021 and all of 2022.
One issue has been Canning’s command. He’s thrown too many pitches in the middle of the zone, including a changeup that Triston Casas drilled 429 feet for a two-run homer in the first inning Saturday.
“I just think he’s been leaving too much out over the plate,” manager Ron Washington said. “We haven’t been making some pitches in some situations and the results were what they were
today.”
By the time his four innings were over, Canning gave up nine hits. The only consolation was that he didn’t walk anyone while
striking out six. He threw 73% of his 70 pitches for strikes, which is a well aboveaverage ratio.
Canning’s velocity, however, continued to be a couple ticks down from last year. He averaged 94.7 mph with his fastball in 2023. His fastball averaged 92.5 mph Saturday, which is about what it’s been in all three games.
“There’s always concern when you have a guy that can throw the ball at a higher rate, 94, 95, 96 and he’s not maintaining that,” Washington said. “But he’s having no issues. He says he’s fine.”
Canning insisted leading up to Saturday’s game and reiterated afterward that he is not injured.
“I feel good,” Canning said. “The hitters will tell you. Just got to keep working and get better.”
The Angels juggled their rotation before this start, giving Canning extra days while keeping Reid Detmers on his turn. It allowed Canning to throw a second bullpen session between starts, but the results were no better.
Canning’s rough start put the Angels in a 4-0 hole after one inning and a 6-0 deficit after two.
The Angels (7-7) had an early opportunity to get back in the game, loading the bases in the second. Zach Neto grounded out to end the inning.
In the third, Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer, his fifth homer of the season.
First baseman Nolan Schanuel left the game after fouling a ball off his groin area in the third inning. He was diagnosed with a testicular contusion.