Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Red Sox Bullpen Blows Tenth Save Of 2019, Boston Falls In 11 Innings, 4-3

(Getty Images)
When all is said and done, the fate of your 2019 Red Sox may be determined by decisions not made by Dave Dombrowski. The inability to land a legitimate closer is looming as the biggest non-move by the Boston GM. Last night, Matt Barnes (overworked and in the wrong role) coughed up Boston's tenth blown save of the year in an eventual 4-3 extra-innings loss to the Rangers. But it's not all the fault of Barnes. As FenwayNation contributor Henry Kanter puts it: "It's blown save by committee". Indeed. This loss is particularly galling given the brilliant performance turned in by starter Chris Sale. The lanky lefty went seven superb innings—giving up just three hits and one earned run while striking out ten. Andrew Benintendi (2-run HR) and Brock Holt (2-out game-tying hit in the 9th) were the only bright lights on the offensive side of the ledger. The defeat puts Boston a full eight games behind division-leading Tampa—while hovering one game over .500.