Nathan Eovaldi surrenders five home runs against the Astros
Eovaldi gave his best John “Way Back” Wasdin impression on Tuesday night
It wasn’t the greatest start for Red Sox de facto ace Nathan Eovaldi on Tuesday night. The Red Sox who were winners on Monday night were looking to make it two in a row against the defending American League Champions.
Instead, Eovaldi was tagged for eight hits, surrendering five home runs, a double and a single. All of this came before a third out could be recorded in the second inning.
Eovaldi’s five gopher balls totaled a combined 1,970 feet in distance. He also became the first Red Sox pitcher to give up five home runs in a game.
The long ball has been a problem for Eovaldi this season. He has allowed 14 homers in 41 2/3 innings which is three homers per every nine innings. For comparison, Eovaldi only have up 15 homers in in 182 1/3 innings last season.
The Red Sox need to figure out what is causing Eovaldi to struggle with the home run ball. Whether the right-handed hurler is tipping his pitches, manager Alex Cora and pitching coach Dave Bush need to figure this out with him.
"In the past, I feel every time I've faced the Astros, they came out swinging, and try to jump on the fastball," Eovaldi said. "I was able to locate it in the first, had a quick first inning. Tried to do the same thing the second inning, and they didn't miss."
Eovaldi hasn’t been sharp in all of his starts this season. There has been no reported injury resulting in his inconsistency on the mound.
"Body wise, I feel really good. Mechanically, I felt good," Eovaldi said. "But again, I have to come out of the gate locked in on my location a little bit better.
"I have to do a better job of mixing my pitches, and attacking them differently."
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