Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Kutter Crawford found himself in the unwelcome annals of baseball history on Friday night. The young hurler surrendered four home runs to the Texas Rangers, a staggering figure that brought his total to a league-leading twelve long balls allowed in his last three starts. No pitcher in recent memory has endured such a torrid stretch of surrendering home runs.
Despite Crawford’s struggles on the mound, the Red Sox offense provided ample support, erupting for sixteen hits en route to an 11-6 victory. However, the team’s focus remains on helping Crawford regain his form.
The right-hander acknowledged the obvious: his command has been lacking. While he maintains that he feels physically capable, the constant barrage of home runs is undoubtedly a mental challenge. Crawford explained that many of the pitches he’s thrown have been located over the heart of the plate, a prime launching pad for opposing hitters.
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Red Sox manager Alex Cora expressed confidence in Crawford’s ability to overcome this slump. However, with the team in the thick of the pennant race, finding a solution to the home run problem is imperative. The team will undoubtedly delve deeper into Crawford’s mechanics and pitch selection in an effort to stem the tide of long balls.
As the season progresses, the Red Sox will be hoping for a swift turnaround from Crawford. His talent is undeniable, but the current trend of allowing home runs at an alarming rate is a significant concern.
