Red Sox looking for consistency from bullpen

Boston’s collective earned-run average in the ninth inning sits at an even 6.00, its worst in any inning of a regulation game.

BOSTON -- Consistency has eluded the Red Sox in most areas this season, but the ninth inning isn’t one of them.

Boston’s pitchers have been poor when it comes to recording what should be the last three outs of a given game. Monday night was another example in a 4-3, 11-inning loss to the Rangers.

Matt Barnes was the culprit this time, as Nomar Mazara touched him for a two-run single to erase what was a 2-1 Sox lead. Barnes avoided the loss on Brock Holt’s tying single in the bottom half of the inning, but the Red Sox squandered a chance to chalk up a relatively routine victory on another night where Chris Sale was dominant.

“I just s(-----) tonight,” Barnes said. “That’s plain and simple.”

Boston’s collective earned-run average in the ninth now sits at an even 6.00, its worst in any inning of a regulation game. Red Sox pitching allows its highest batting average at .286, its highest slugging percentage at .490 and its highest OPS at .860. Boston simply hasn’t been able to hone in on an adequate replacement for Craig Kimbrel, who finally ended his prolonged free agency by signing a three-year deal with the Cubs last week.

“On a daily basis it might be someone different,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “That’s who we are in the bullpen. That’s our nature.”

Winning the last two World Series showed Cora a different way to do things in relief. Ken Giles and Kimbrel were largely ineffective for the Astros and Red Sox, respectively, and their clubs captured championships almost in spite of their efforts in October. Starting pitchers were employed to paper over the cracks, a remedy not available to Cora prior to the end of summer.

For now, Cora has to rely on Barnes, Brandon Workman, Heath Hembree, Marcus Walden and Ryan Brasier. All five right-handers have enjoyed stretches of dominance and futility over the season’s first two months, leaving the manager with few trustworthy alternatives. The long leash that served Cora well last season -- Joe Kelly’s playoff performance is a prime example -- has betrayed him in 2019.

“A lot of people have their thoughts about the ninth inning -- that those three outs are bigger than the first 24,” Cora said. “There are others who feel there are people who are ready for that and can do it there.

“I don’t know. I really don’t know. I just feel that we’re trying to maximize our talent and maximize our strength in matching up.”

Brasier (1.32 ERA prior to May 2, 6.00 since), Barnes (1.50 ERA prior to May 19, 9.82 since) and Walden (1.37 ERA prior to May 19, 5.59 since) have all regressed considerably. Hembree (5.56 ERA prior to April 23, 0.52 since) has done the opposite. Workman’s lone real blemish came April 17 at Yankee Stadium when he allowed three earned runs and recorded a lone out -- he’s surrendered just six hits and three earned runs in his last 21-2/3 frames.

“Every part of a baseball team -- bullpen, bats, starters -- goes through little ups and downs,” Brasier said. “I think we’re just in a little rough patch right now. Every day, coming in and trying to get out of it.”

The simple solution would seem to be acquiring some outside help, and that will require Boston to tread water long enough until non-contenders begin selling off their pieces in July. That’s also not Cora’s department -- president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski would be tasked with making any roster upgrades. Bringing in Steve Pearce and Nathan Eovaldi prior to last year’s deadline went a long way toward bringing the Red Sox a fourth title this century.

“We’re always looking for ways to improve,” Cora said. “That’s what the organization has done. We’ve got to put ourselves in a situation where, yes, if we do this, we’re going to be elite again.

“Thinking ahead, yes, it’s always great. That’s what we do. But we need to get this right first and go from there.”

First start: Boston’s top pitching prospect made his first start for the club on Tuesday against the Rangers.

Darwinzon Hernandez was signed as an international free agent from Venezuela in 2013. The 22-year-old left-hander made his big league debut with 2-1/3 scoreless innings against the Tigers, his lone Red Sox appearance prior to taking the ball against Texas.

“He’s a guy, with his pure stuff, he can make mistakes in the strike zone and get people out,” Cora said. “Just remind him to be aggressive.”

Hernandez’s rather unimpressive 5.13 earned-run average at Double-A Portland this season is a product of not challenging hitters frequently enough. His 59 strikeouts in 40-1/3 innings speak to Hernandez’s considerable ability, but his 32 walks have put him in frequent trouble.

Hernandez is rated No. 4 among Boston’s minor leaguers per SoxProspects.com. He trails only Class A corner infielder Triston Casas, Sea Dogs third baseman Bobby Dalbec and Portland center fielder Jarren Duran. Hernandez took the roster spot of reliever Ryan Brasier, who was placed on the bereavement/family medical emergency list.