Alex Cora praises Red Sox’ pitching after loss to Twins Saturday

Manager Alex Cora praised the Red Sox’ bullpen for limiting the damage despite the loss.

“They did a good job. They did,” Cora said postgame. “Overall, that’s why I’m okay. We’re gonna pitch. If we continue to do that, we know the offense is gonna wake up, we’re gonna score runs. It just happens that we lost the first two.”

Despite those five hurlers allowing just two earned runs (three total), Boston’s lineup failed to drive in runs despite collecting eight hits and three walks. The team’s sole run was sent home in the first inning by Wilyer Abreu via a single. After that, it was radio silence from Boston’s hitters.

“We didn’t do much offensively throughout the evening,” Cora said. “We got beat to the spot. Something that we have to make adjustments with it. … We have put some good at-bats, sometimes we put pressure, but not enough. We had chances.”

Of the Red Sox’ eight runners left on base in Saturday’s contest, three of them were stranded by Rafael Devers to end the seventh inning. A bases-loaded single probably would have tied the game at three runs apiece as Boston trailed 3-1 at the time. Instead, a hitless day for Devers essentially cemented a Red Sox loss.

Over the Red Sox’ three-game losing streak, they’ve left 19 runners on base while collecting 16 hits and nine walks. As Cora said, the offense will “wake up” again eventually. But can it stay awake and find consistency amid countless injuries?

At some point, Boston’s pitching has to regress. Their 2.62 team ERA remains the lowest in all of MLB. Red Sox hitters must take advantage of the run-prevention unit behind them while they can, because there’s no guarantee it will last for 162 games.