Call to the pen
Fansided

Boston Red Sox: Drew Pomeranz Can’t Escape Fourth in Debut

By Matthew Lively

Jul 20, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz (31) walks to the dugout after being relieved during the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 20, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz (31) walks to the dugout after being relieved during the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

After an excellent beginning, the Boston Red Sox new starter, Drew Pomeranz, ran into a great deal of trouble against the San Francisco Giants, ending his night early.

Drew Pomeranz’s night started out really well.

Heading into the top of the fourth his Red Sox had an 8-0 lead against the San Francisco Giants. He had given up just two hits and walked just one while striking out four.

More from Call to the Pen

Then came the top of the fourth. The Red Sox had just put up five runs in the bottom of the third, and it looked like smooth sailing from there.

But for some reason Pomeranz took that lead as a sign to fall apart.

Buster Posey lead off with a walk, Brandon Crawford singled, and then Mac Williamson smacked a no-doubter to center field.

Alright, it’s the guys first start…he’s pitching at Fenway Park, and he’s facing the best team in the MLB.

Next batter: Grant Green hits a single, and Red Sox pithing coach Carl Willis takes a trip to the mound.

Alright, Willis calmed him down, he’s going to get out of this inning with just three runs allowed.

Next batter: On the first pitch Trevor Brown hits a ball that might have bounced off the moon before it landed on top of the Green Monster.

Alright, two more runs…this happens.

Next batter: Ramiro Pena singles, followed by a Denard Span single.

And that would be the end. Within a matter of minutes, literally, Pomeranz had surrendered five runs, allowing six hits, and still had two men he was responsible on first and second.

Suffice to say, he had probably imagined that night would go better. Actually, he probably just really imagined the top of the fourth inning would go better.

He definitely got beat up out there against his old-division foe, but there’s no reason for the Red Sox Nation to absolutely freak out. Pomeranz showed some very positive things tonight.

If we exclude the nightmare inning, he had stuck out four, compared to the one batter he walked. His changeup looked like it fell from head to toe on batters. His fastball was working in the low to mid 90’s and he had good control of his pitches.

This is just his first start. There’s a lot of pressure on the guy making his debut in front of over 38,000 Boston Red Sox fans against a very good Giants team. I give him props for not taking Xanax before the game.

Next: Injured stars creating decisions for teams

So don’t fret, Red Sox Nation. Things will get better. It may have not been the ideal debut for Pomeranz, but hey, things can only get better. And just in case you wondered, Anderson Espinoza, the highly touted prospect that was traded for Pomeranz didn’t have a great night either in his debut.

Home/Boston Red Sox