The Boston Pink Sox pitched Kutter Crawford for the ultimate time in 2024, permitting the right-hander to face the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday night.
Crawford struggled, permitting six earned runs by way of 4 1/3 innings whereas strolling 4 and putting out six batters. It dragged Crawford to 9-16, nonetheless, the finale does not inform the entire story for Boston’s 28-year-old — who entered the MLB All-Star break with a 3.00 ERA earlier than present process a second-half stoop with the remainder of the crew.
That left Crawford trying again on what was a big-league leap in Boston.
“It was good within the sense of staying wholesome and having the ability to make 33 begins and throw loads of innings,” Crawford advised reporters after Boston’s 7-2 loss at Fenway Park, as seen on NESN’s postgame protection. “Clearly I am not pleased with the quantity of walks and the homers that I’ve given up. So it is type of like combined feelings in regards to the season. However I’m grateful that I used to be in a position to get by way of 33 begins and I’ve to present loads of credit score to the power and coaching workers.”
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The second-half sting received a maintain of the Pink Sox, though the American League wild-card remained up for grabs. Crawford misplaced 9 video games in 13 begins following the Midsummer Traditional, all whereas pitching to a 6.59 ERA. He surrendered 20 residence runs all through that stretch and walked 20 batters, presenting apparent areas for enchancment. However, in enduring a 3rd straight postseason miss and the fifth within the final six years, the Pink Sox aren’t discouraged in any respect when trying again on Crawford’s 2024 marketing campaign.
“He proved that he can begin at this stage. He is confirmed it,” Pink Sox supervisor Alex Cora advised reporters, as seen on NESN’s postgame protection. “There’s a number of issues with the fastball and the cut up and all that, and we’ll speak about that in November, December. However I feel if you happen to have a look at his season total, it was a strong one. Only a child that he understands learn how to pitch, makes use of each side of the plate, he goes up, he can go down and he is a man that we count on him to maintain getting higher. He is been good for us.”
Listed here are extra notes from Saturday evening’s Rays-Pink Sox sport:
— Crawford’s 33 begins ties an MLB lead this season, making him the primary Pink Sox to take action since teammate Nick Pivetta logged 33 begins in 2022.
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— Boston’s offense has hit .249, averaging 4.9 runs with 221 extra-base hits and a 25.4 strikeout proportion in 65 video games since popping out of the All-Star break in July.
— The Pink Sox, with an opportunity to complete the yr at .500, by no means escaped their season-long struggles taking part in at Fenway Park. Boston dropped to 37-43 at residence with a minus-33 run differential, 4.20 ERA, 69 errors and 17 blown saves.
— Boston dropped to 24-27 when dealing with groups inside its division.
— The Pink Sox and Rays will meet to play their regular-season finale on Sunday afternoon. First pitch from Fenway Park is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. ET, and you’ll catch the sport, plus a full hour of pregame protection, dwell on NESN.
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