August 11, 2021: Red Sox (Eovaldi) vs Rays (Fleming)

[Nick]

Valdez comes in with a 19 run lead and gives up a hit, then walks two. That would be enough to disqualify any pitcher from a team's future plans. Phillips can't find the plate with a search crew

 

You can't let him die out there, I don't care what the lead is.....

[Tedballgame]

Can Valdez hold a 19 run lead?

[iortiz]

Valdez comes in with a 19 run lead and gives up a hit, then walks two. That would be enough to disqualify any pitcher from a team's future plans. Phillips can't find the plate with a search crew

 

Baseball is funny. Valdez has come in high leverage situations and he had been fantastic.

 

He looks like a position player pitching right now.

[Tedballgame]

I hate it when the Sox use position players to pitch. They get hammered.

[Nick]

What the f*** did I just say? You can't let him die out there. Horrible manager.

[vegasbob]

Unbelievable that any pitcher could suck this bad

[Nick]

Give Rays some momentum going for tomorrow's game....they know they can get to our bullpen.

[Nick]

Nice job Cora....you just destroyed Valdez for rest of season. What the hell.

[vegasbob]

Valdez's ERA went from about 3.80 to 5.61. 2 HR's and 7 runs. He must be trying to get the game to a save opportunity

[iortiz]

Nice job Cora....you just destroyed Valdez for rest of season. What the hell.

 

Yeah it could be 40-1 but you as a manager don’t let your pitcher die like this.

[TylerD]

Well the ending sucked but good over all.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

One question; why was Valdez pitching the 9th with a 19 run lead? Cora has both Robles and Davis who would have been much more suited to clean-up duty. Hopefully, this doesn't destroy Valdez's confidence going forward.

One of the dumbest moves I've seen a manager do in years. Cora may be the most lovable, but he's certainly not the smartest tool in the box.

[Bellhorn04]

One question; why was Valdez pitching the 9th with a 19 run lead? Cora has both Robles and Davis who would have been much more suited to clean-up duty. Hopefully, this doesn't destroy Valdez's confidence going forward.

One of the dumbest moves I've seen a manager do in years. Cora may be the most lovable, but he's certainly not the smartest tool in the box.

 

Valdez hadn't pitched since August 5 and needed work.

 

BTW Cash left his starter in for 10 runs.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Valdez hadn't pitched since August 5 and needed work.

 

 

This... and, it was his job to finish no matter what, to save the rest of the pen for a game in question. Everyone realizes that pitchers throw differently with a 19-run lead; they're not going to risk straining ligaments snapping off vicious breaking balls. Throw the ball down the middle and wait until batters hit into outs. Problem is, good pro hitters know this, too, and get to swing from their heels (especially with no pressure)...

[TylerD]

Valdez comes in with a 19 run lead and gives up a hit, then walks two. That would be enough to disqualify any pitcher from a team's future plans. Phillips can't find the plate with a search crew

 

Not so sure I completely agree. His last six out of eight games he was pretty good, but he was bad against Houston and he was bad against Toronto. He went almost 3 shout out and eggs against Detroit. She doesn’t normally come in the ninth-inning regardless of a big lead like that, so who knows maybe it got him nervous. Our closer has blown to street games now. Valdez should have been pulled after the hit and two walks. Talk about a confidence ruined. He was bad last night no doubt about that, but leaving him in was the wrong move.

[moonslav59]

I don't think players who have been around as long as Valdez have their confidence shattered that easily.

 

If they are like that, maybe it's good we find out, so we can cut his ass, this winter.

 

(We won't, because his confidence is just fine.)

[mvp 78]

Red Sox see the bullpen guy warming up.

 

"Let's Enns this guy's career."

 

The next day:

 

The Rays announced Thursday that they’ve selected the contract of righty Evan Phillips. Lefty Dietrich Enns was optioned to Triple-A Durham to open a spot on the active roster.