The Texas Rangers took advantage of every obstacle Lucas Giolito faced on Tuesday night. The game was delayed 31 minutes due to rain. While conditions allowed play to continue, the early innings were played under a light drizzle, which caused some struggles for the right-hander.
Giolito pitched 3.2 innings, allowing six runs on 10 hits, with one walk, a wild pitch, and just two strikeouts. He was bailed out by a strong performance from the bullpen, but the Red Sox offense couldn’t get anything going against Nathan Eovaldi, who continues to dominate.
«I think the man was off compared to [his outing against] Toronto,» said manager Alex Cora after the Red Sox’s 6–1 loss to the Rangers. «They put together some good at-bats. It was a tough one. We have to turn the page and be ready for the next one. The fastball location dictates the night. When he’s in command, he’s precise and can go deeper into games. Not tonight.»
Giolito also saw a drop in his fastball velocity. He topped out at 96 mph in his first outing against Toronto but was mostly sitting at 91–92 mph on Tuesday night.
«We’re still getting to know him,» Cora added. «This was only his second start with us. I think he did an outstanding job last week. Today, he struggled.»
The Red Sox bullpen was able to quiet the Rangers’ bats. In fact, Sean Newcomb — who had pitched just one inning over the past 12 games — retired seven of the last nine hitters he faced.
«Newcomb was excellent,» Cora said on Wednesday night. «He gave us more than enough. He basically saved the bullpen for the rest of the series. [Newcomb] changed speeds and threw strikes. He was really good.»
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Sean Newcomb pitched four scoreless innings in his second outing of the season out of the bullpen, allowing three hits, one walk, and striking out three. «He did an amazing job for us,» said Cora on Wednesday. «I hope this sets us up to win the series.»
