Final
Red Sox-Braves Preview
Apr 26, 2016 - 4:15 AM The Boston Red Sox brought in David Price to lead the top of their rotation, but he's still searching for answers four outings into an erratic start to his tenure.Facing the Atlanta Braves has often been the cure for what ails any starter.
After what transpired in his latest uncharacteristic start, Price might settle for feeling a little less comfortable when he tries to deal the powerless Braves their seventh straight loss Tuesday night before this two-city series shifts to Fenway Park.
"That's the best I've felt," Price told the league's official website after allowing eight runs over 3 2/3 innings Thursday in a 12-8 home loss to Tampa Bay. "That's the most disappointing thing. To feel as good as I felt, I want to be able to go out there and get the results that I expect."
Price is 2-0 with a 7.06 ERA so far with the Red Sox (10-9). The highest ERA through four starts in his career isn't that unfathomable, though. The left-hander's 4.20 mark in April is easily his worst of any month.
"I think with power pitchers... (this is) still a building phase of arm strength and overall command, and we may just be seeing that," manager John Farrell said.
Price has gone 2-1 with a 1.89 ERA in three career starts versus Atlanta. He allowed one run while striking out nine over seven innings in a 9-1 road win while pitching for Toronto on Sept. 16.
That Braves team scored the fewest runs in the majors and this one is just as anemic at getting runners across the plate. Atlanta (4-15) has totaled 11 runs with just seven extra-base hits and 55 strikeouts during a losing streak that reached six as Rick Porcello threw 6 1/3 strong innings and Jackie Bradley Jr. homered in Boston's 1-0 victory Monday.
The Braves' homerless stretch reached an unthinkable 14 games, matching the longest streak in their Atlanta history.
Freddie Freeman went 2 for 3 in his first game since getting dropped from third to sixth in the order. The first baseman is hitting just .200 with one of the Braves' three homers.
''I think by putting him in that spot it was nice to just have fun, Just play baseball and don't worry about carrying the team," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He's not a number six hitter, believe me.''
Atlanta has provided Matt Wisler with one run over his last two starts. The right-hander threw a career-high 115 pitches Thursday and didn't allow an earned run over 6 2/3 innings in a 2-1, 10-inning loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"He's been getting better and better every time out," Gonzalez said.
Wisler (0-1, 3.10 ERA) gets his first look at a Boston team that averaged 6.2 runs and batted .340 over a five-game stretch before finishing with just six hits Monday.
The Red Sox have won 11 of 14 road meetings and nine of the past 11 overall.
- BOSTON: 11
ATLANTA: 4
Final
Sep 26 11:54 AM - Daniel Castro grounds out to shortstop, Xander Bogaerts to Hanley Ramirez. Mallex Smith to third. Erick Aybar scores.
Red Sox 11, Braves 4 Bot 9, 2 OutsApr 26 10:02 PM - Nick Markakis grounds out to shallow infield, Travis Shaw to Hanley Ramirez. Mallex Smith to second. Erick Aybar to third. Drew Stubbs scores.
Red Sox 11, Braves 3 Bot 9, 0 OutsApr 26 10:01 PM - Jackie Bradley Jr. triples to deep center field. Hanley Ramirez scores.
Red Sox 11, Braves 2 Top 9, 2 OutsApr 26 9:50 PM - Hanley Ramirez doubles to deep right field. Travis Shaw scores.
Red Sox 10, Braves 2 Top 9, 2 OutsApr 26 9:48 PM - Travis Shaw doubles to deep right center field. Xander Bogaerts scores. Chris Young scores.
Red Sox 9, Braves 2 Top 9, 2 OutsApr 26 9:47 PM - Dustin Pedroia singles to center field. Chris Young to third. Christian Vazquez scores.
Red Sox 7, Braves 2 Top 9, 1 OutApr 26 9:43 PM - Travis Shaw grounds out to shortstop, Adonis Garcia to Freddie Freeman.
Red Sox 5, Braves 2 Top 5, 1 OutApr 26 8:32 PM - Matt Wisler out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Mookie Betts. Drew Stubbs to third. Jeff Francoeur scores.
Red Sox 4, Braves 2 Bot 4, 1 OutApr 26 8:24 PM - Jeff Francoeur singles to center field. Freddie Freeman to second. Adonis Garcia scores.
Red Sox 4, Braves 1 Bot 1, 2 OutsApr 26 7:34 PM - Brock Holt doubles to center field. Jackie Bradley Jr. scores.
Red Sox 4, Braves 0 Top 1, 2 OutsApr 26 7:23 PM - Travis Shaw homers to right field. Xander Bogaerts scores. Dustin Pedroia scores.
Red Sox 3, Braves 0 Top 1, 1 OutApr 26 7:16 PM - Mookie Betts pops out to shortstop to Erick Aybar.
Apr 26 7:11 PM
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