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Red Sox 7 – Brewers 11: Mookie Betts shines despite ugly loss

By Daniel Cassese

May 9, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) tags out Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia (3) during the fourth inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) tags out Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia (3) during the fourth inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 9, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Drew Pomeranz (31) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Drew Pomeranz (31) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Home runs get to Drew Pomeranz again

Bad news first.

For the third time in six starts, the Red Sox pitcher was tagged for multiple home runs pushing his season HR/9 rate to 2.03. From the get go, Pomeranz just didn’t look sharp in this one. In a five-run first inning, he threw just 14 of 26 pitches for strikes and was shelled for four hits – two of which left the yard.

In four total innings, Pomeranz allowed six earned runs on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts. The performance pushed his once respectable 4.00 ERA to 5.23 on the season. I made the case earlier in the season that Pomeranz’s numbers were due for improvement based on an inflated HR/FB rate and a low xFIP but he’s quickly proved me wrong.

The most concerning aspect of Pomeranz’s start was his decreased velocity. According to Baseball Savant and Statcast, Pomeranz gave up three barrelled balls in the first inning. Two were home runs, by Eric Thames and Keon Broxton, the other was a double off the wall by Ryan Braun.

The two home runs came on fastballs that measured at 89.8 mph and 89.7 mph respectively. On the season, he’s averaged 92.32 mph with a max of 95.1. In this game, he averaged 90.3 mph with a max of 91.5. We can’t diagnose why his velocity is so far down but this is a serious issue that the club will need to monitor over the next five days.

If everything remains constant, Pomeranz will make his next start at home against the Tampa Bay Rays on May 14.

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