BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox have been an offensive wonder over the past month, leaving a wake of hits, runs and wins that have become the marvel of baseball to this point.
But on a night that saw Jackie Bradley Jr.’s major league-best hitting streak halted at 29 games, the attention shifts to a struggling member of their pitching staff who could be on his way out of the rotation.
Carlos Gonzalez, Trevor Story and Dustin Garneau hit two-run homers and the Colorado Rockies pulled away for an 8-2 victory over the Red Sox on Thursday night.
The win ended a three-game losing streak by Colorado and it ended a four-game winning streak for the Red Sox. Bradley’s streak ended with a whimper when he went 0 for 4 and was flummoxed by young Rockies starter Jon Gray after he moved up to the leadoff spot for the first time this season.
Thursday was just the fifth time in Boston’s last 15 home games that it has failed to score eight or more runs.
“I’m very proud of myself. To be able to get the opportunity to go this far, it’s a blessing,” Bradley said of the streak. “I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed. Obviously you want to get a hit, but the pitchers are really good in this league. It’s tough getting a hit day in and day out. And it was a pretty special run for me.”
Clay Buchholz (2-5) took the loss. He pitched three perfect innings before things came apart in the fourth, when he gave up Gonzalez’s homer with the other two coming the following inning.
The 12 home runs he’s given up this season are six more than he gave up in all of his 18 starts last season.
“I’m basically the one that’s struggling – the only one that’s struggling,” Buchholz said. “I guess it’s better off that way than to have three out of five guys struggling. Other guys are doing a really good job of picking up the slack that I’m leaving behind. You figure it has to change sooner or later.”
He may not get that chance. Eduardo Rodriguez is getting close to getting off the disabled list, and his return could signal a demotion for Buchholz.
“We always have conversations about every guy. This will be no different,” Manager John Farrell said. “We know that Eddie is soon to, or ready probably to come back to us. But there’s been no decision made as of right now.”
Thursday marked the first time this season any Red Sox player besides Mookie Betts had led off a game. He had the night off, before pinch hitting in the ninth with Bradley on deck. But Betts grounded out to end the game.
Gray (2-2) gave up a two-run home run to David Ortiz in the first, but pitched six scoreless innings before leaving in the eighth.
Gray was unfazed by the shuffle. He was steady throughout the night, mixing his pitches and scattering five hits while striking out six.
While Bradley’s streak ended, teammate Xander Bogaerts managed to extend his hitting streak to 19 games, which takes over as the longest in the majors.
Bradley just missed a home run to right field in his first at-bat, and grounded out on his second plate appearance of the night. He flied out to center in the fifth.
The Fenway Park crowd roared when he came to the plate to lead off the eighth, but he swung at Carlos Estevez’s first pitch and grounded out.
Buchholz isn’t obsessing about his roster status.
“That’s out of my pay grade. I can’t worry about that. I’m here to pitch. If I don’t have a spot, that’s part of it,” he said. “So like they say, `If you don’t like it, pitch better.’ So I guess that’s what it comes down to.”
NOTES
Farrell said C Ryan Hanigan, who left Wednesday night’s game due to illness and neck stiffness and was given the day off Thursday, should be ready to return Friday. … Farrell said Rodriguez (right patella subluxation), who began a second rehab assignment Tuesday in Triple-A Pawtucket, did some fielding practice Wednesday, but a decision is yet to be made about where his next start will be.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Comments are no longer available on this story