Ranger Suarez’s Red Sox debut was not what he envisioned, with the Astros defeating Boston 8-1.
Suarez, making his first start after signing a five-year, $130 million deal as a free agent, allowed four runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. Two of the hits were home runs.
“Very nice to be able to make my debut with the team. It wasn’t the result we all wanted, but basically I felt good,” Suarez said. He reached 76 pitches before being taken out. “I just need to turn the page and get ready for the next one.”
Early Struggles for Suarez
Suarez’s outing began poorly, as he allowed three consecutive singles to open the game. He limited the damage to one run, which scored on a double-play grounder.
Before the game, Red Sox manager Alex Cora had observed that Suarez maintains a calm demeanour, but that can shift once the game is underway.
“I think if you miss pitches here and there, you get frustrated,” Suarez said. He threw 44 strikes and 32 balls. “I feel like the least amount of nerves you make during the starts, the better they will go. But the key is go pitch by pitch, hitter by hitter, and see what happens.”
Astros Power Surge
Suarez’s second inning was uneventful, but Jose Altuve singled to lead off the third. Then Yordan Alvarez hit a two-run homer to right off an 84.9 mph cutter, putting the Astros ahead 3-0.
Brice Matthews extended the lead in the fifth with a homer to center off an 89.3 mph cutter, a hit projected to travel 434 feet. Alvarez’s home run had an exit velocity of 108.8 mph, while Matthews’ was 111.1 mph.
“First pitch [to Alvarez], cutter ball,” Cora said. “Next one backed up, and he doesn’t miss those. Then there was another cutter later on, middle-middle, 2-1, [and Matthews] hit it out of the ballpark.
“There was some good, and there were some things we’ve got to work on, and [Suarez] will. In the middle of the start, he was able to change speeds, throw strikes and get some swings and misses.”
Suarez’s velocity peaked at 92.5 mph, and he recorded six whiffs. He lamented the pitches that Alvarez and Matthews capitalised on.
“We’re in the big leagues,” Suarez said, regarding the consequences of poor pitch location.
Fifth Inning Exit
After Matthews’ home run in the fifth, Suarez walked Altuve and then struck out Alvarez, ending his night. He finished with three strikeouts and one walk.
Suarez beat the Astros in Game 3 of the 2022 World Series. However, in three regular-season starts against them in Houston, he has allowed 11 earned runs in 15 innings, resulting in a 6.60 ERA at Daikin Park.
Red Sox Offence Stymied
The Red Sox, now 1-3 after their third consecutive loss, struggled against Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. He struck out nine batters over seven innings. Wilyer Abreu doubled home Boston’s only run in the seventh.
- Suarez allowed four runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.
- The Red Sox lost to the Astros 8-1.
- The Red Sox are now 1-3.
While much of the Red Sox…