Alex Cora Pinpoints ‘Red Flag’ From Kutter Crawford’s Outing

Red Sox right-hander Kutter Crawford cruised through five innings against the Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Sunday, but ultimately fell off in the sixth inning and was pulled after a conclusion similar to his previous outing.

Crawford threw just over 60 pitches through five innings, but struggled with his command in the sixth. He opened the frame with a pair of strikes to leadoff man Ramon Urias, but let the No. 9 batter off the hook with four consecutive balls for a leadoff walk. Crawford followed it up with two balls to Colton Cowser before he hit him on the wrist. It gave the Orioles a pair of runners and nobody out in an eventual three-run inning.

“The red flag was the walk,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters after Boston’s 4-2 loss, as seen on NESN’s postgame coverage. “The command was off, I felt.”

Bailey Horn relieved Crawford with one out in the sixth and gave up a two-run home run to No. 5 batter Adley Rutschman.

“I think today, obviously, was the leadoff walk,” Crawford told reporters, as seen on NESN. “I got ahead of him, and I wasn’t able to put him away. In a situation like that, in that ballgame, I cannot walk him.”

Crawford called it “annoying” and “frustrating” not being able to get through the sixth inning. He felt his command was good through the first five innings, moving the ball inside and outside the zone, before his sixth-inning troubles.

It was weirdly similar to his previous start against the Texas Rangers last week. In that contest, Crawford was perfect through 5 1/3 innings before he ultimately was was charged for four runs on three hits with one walk and four strikeouts.

“I just have to be more aware, attacking the zone once I get ahead of that hitter,” Crawford said.

Here are more notes from Red Sox-Orioles:

— Boston’s offense didn’t do much to help its staff. The Red Sox left 11 runners on base after they went 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position.

“We did a good job taking our singles and whatever, but what it matters we weren’t able to cash in,” Cora said.

— The Red Sox out-hit the Orioles 11-3 in the contest. They have recorded 10-plus hits in 17 of their last 25 games. On the season, Boston has recorded 10 or more hits 54 times, which ranks second in MLB behind only the Houston Astros. The Red Sox now are 43-11 in those games.

“We swung the bat well. We put pressure on them all weekend,” Cora said. “I think offensively we’re one of the best teams in the big leagues.”

— Orioles right-hander Albert Suarez threw six scoreless innings. He scatted seven hits with six strikeouts as he threw 60 of his 99 pitches for strikes.

“He’s one of those guys, he’s going to attack up in the zone,” Cora said.

— Cora clearly is not sounding any alarms after the loss.

“Tough one, but I think we played well during the series, we payed well today,” he said. “Just got to move on and be ready for tomorrow.”

— Ceddanne Rafaela committed a costly error in the sixth inning, overthrowing Crawford when the right-hander ran over to cover first base. Cora said he would have to take a look at the tape, but acknowledged it was a difficult play after Triston Casas fielded the ground ball.

— The Red Sox will travel to Houston as they open up a three-game series against the Astros on Monday night. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET, and you can watch it live on NESN after an hour of pregame coverage.