BOSTON – Luis García has allowed eight runs (12.00 ERA) in six innings in five relief appearances since the Red Sox acquired him from the Angels at the trade deadline for four young players.
The 37-year-old has allowed at least one run in four of his five games for Boston. His worst performance here was Sunday against the Astros, when he allowed five runs on five hits and an intentional walk and had one strikeout in two innings. Houston won 10-2 to win the three-game series at Fenway Park.
“It’s not going as I expected,” said García. “But like I said, the only thing I have to do is get better and help the team as much as I can.”
García has been in the Major Leagues for 12 years and has also played for the Angels, Phillies, Padres, Cardinals and Rangers. He has made 535 career appearances and has clearly overcome many difficult periods.
“It’s not easy. You know what to do and hopefully you’ll feel better soon,” he said of the adjustments.
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García allowed two weak singles (exit velocities of 50.7 mph and 65.7 mph).
But he also allowed some tough hits. He allowed a two-run homer (101.4 mph off the bat) to Jeremy Peña when he hit a 1-0 slider to the middle of the plate. He also allowed two 99.3 mph doubles to Alex Bregman and Yainer Diaz.
Four of the five hits (except the home run) were against his sinker.
“My shots have been inconsistent,” García said. “I think that’s it. I need to work on that and get better.”
The Red Sox had to patch together 8 ⅓ innings with their bullpen after James Paxton had to leave the field with two outs in the first inning due to a strained right calf.
Brennan Bernardino also struggled, allowing four runs on four hits (two home runs) in 1 ⅓ innings. Boston sent Bernardino to Triple-A Worcester after the game, a source told MassLive.
“I’m just not hitting,” Bernardino said. “And some of my shots have been hit. Things are just not going the way I want them to right now.”
García added: “The only chance we have is to get better. That’s all. As a group we have to get better and keep fighting.”
