Red Sox Loss Highlights Concerns About Bullpen Arm
On Tuesday, the Red Sox saw a standout performance from rookie pitcher Connelly Early, who threw 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing no runs on 80 pitches against the A’s. Despite his stellar outing, the Red Sox lost 2-1, which somewhat overshadowed Early’s strong home debut.
While Early’s pitch count was a concern for manager Alex Cora, it was reliever Greg Weissert’s workload that raised further questions. Tuesday marked Weissert’s 68th appearance of the season, a career-high, and he is just four outs away from his personal innings-pitched record.
Red Sox Struggle to Generate Offense Again
The Red Sox were leading 1-0 when Early was pulled with a runner on first. Weissert came in and struck out A’s slugger Brent Rooker but then allowed a double, a walk, and a single, which led to a game-tying run in the fifth. The A’s scored again, making it 2-1, and the Red Sox couldn’t answer, failing to score for the rest of the game.
“We lose that game because I can’t do my job,” Weissert said after the game. While the offense’s inability to score more than one run was a bigger issue, Weissert’s recent struggles, particularly with his increased workload, are also concerning.
Although Weissert has been solid overall this season, with a 3.06 ERA and a 6-6 record, his performance in September has been less reliable. He’s allowed five hits and three walks in his last five appearances, covering just 4.0 innings. For the month, opponents are hitting .313 against him, and he’s giving up a .396 on-base percentage.
Weissert Insists He ‘Feels Fine’
Despite the concerns, Weissert says he feels physically fine, even with the heavy workload. “It’s been a lot of innings, but it’s why I play the game. I want to be out there every day if I can,” he said. He added, “I have to shut that down in that situation, not let that inherited runner score.”
Weissert leads the Red Sox in appearances and is second only to Garrett Whitlock in relief innings pitched this season. His performance will be key for the Red Sox as they push for a strong finish and potential playoff berth, though he is set to surpass his career-high innings.
Cora Explains Early’s Early Exit
After the game, Cora explained that the decision to pull Early wasn’t just about his pitch count but also about matchups. With Rooker due up, and hitting .305 against left-handed pitchers, Cora wanted a right-handed arm like Weissert to face him.
“It’s about the guy who is hitting,” Cora said. “The game dictates what we do. Rooker hits lefties really well. The other guys have to do their job.” Weissert got Rooker out, but couldn’t keep the momentum going afterward.
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