Red Sox’ young pitchers taking big lumps
By Maureen Mullen / Boston Globe
Photo: Brandon Workman was rocked for six runs in the third inning on Wednesday.
Brandon Workman became the latest of the Red Sox young pitchers to get roughed up on Wednesday when he lasted just three innings, a career low, and gave up six runs (five earned) in yet another loss.
But he isn’t the only one of the Sox young pitchers who continues to struggle as the season grinds to a close. On Tuesday, Anthony Ranaudo (3-2, 5.40) took the loss when he lasted just 3 1/3 innings. It was the first time this season Sox starting pitchers have failed to pitch at least four innings in consecutive games.
In their current four-game losing streak, Sox starting pitchers – Rubby De La Rosa (4-6, 4.01), Joe Kelly (3-4 overall, 1-2 with the Sox, 3.95), Ranaudo, and Workman – are 0-4, with an 8.10 ERA, giving up 17 runs, 15 earned runs, on 25 hits and 10 walks with 13 strikeouts, and four home runs over 16 2/3 innings. Only Kelly, at 6 1/3, has pitched more than four innings in that stretch.
“Well, they’re facing big league hitters, very good lineups, and of course their facing the best lineups in the big leagues,” said pitching coach Juan Nieves. “And it’s a matter of executing pitches. If you get guys that don’t execute pitches, they fall behind, I think they’re predictable. If you don’t have electrifying stuff, that’s what happens to you.”
In 10 games in September Sox starting pitchers – with Clay Buchholz (7-8, 5.29) and Allen Webster (3-3, 6.47) added to the previous group -- are 2-5, with 5.57 ERA. Only Kelly, on Sept. 2 at Yankee Stadium, and Buchholz, on Sept. 6 against the Blue Jays, have recorded wins this month. And only Kelly and Buchholz have secure places in the rotation for now.
Perhaps fatigue is becoming a factor. Farrell has said he would like to continue to get starts with some of his young pitchers, while limiting some of their innings. But, with knuckleballer Steven Wright, who pitched five scoreless innings Sunday against Toronto, and Matt Barnes, who pitched three scoreless innings Tuesday in his major league debut against the O’s, now on the roster and potential rotation options, perhaps there’s an opportunity to give some of the young starters rest and look at some others.
“Nothing concrete yet,” Nieves said. “I know Buchholz and Kelly are going to be pretty steady for now, and we’re going to monitor the other guys.”
The other four pitchers have made a total of 43 big league starts this season. All have pitched in the minor leagues, in addition to their big league work. By September, it’s been a long season. There are certain things to look for from young pitchers at this point in the year.
“Fastball command. I think their demeanor out there is important. Talking to them, getting to know their personalities is very important, how do they act when things are going good and things are going bad,” said catcher David Ross, a veteran of 13 seasons. “Do they ride that wave or are they pretty even keeled? How well can they get the secondary pitch over for a strike when they need to in a big situation. How other teams see the ball off them. Are hitters getting beat by the fastball or are they on everything? Are the outs soft outs, are the hits soft hits, or are they loud outs? A lot of things you’re looking for when you’re watching guys pitch. are they overwhelmed by the environment?
“I think it’s a bunch of little things, not really one big thing for me. There’s a whole process. And some guys have gotten better, their presence on the mound has gotten better. Their attitude as far as how they deal with the emotions of being a starting pitcher. I think it’s a really tough thing to deal with.”
The Sox have a lot of holes to fill this offseason, including their starting rotation. They will be active in the free agent and trade markets. But they will look for their young pitchers to help them determine just how many holes they have to fill.
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