Red Sox Notes: Rookie Pitcher Accepts Learning Lessons From Loss To Twins

The Boston Red Sox have counted on rookie pitcher Hunter Dobbins, perhaps more than the 25-year-old anticipated this early into the 2025 season.

But each time, Dobbins has shown strong flashes of potential. He went at least five innings during his first two big-league starts and when it came time to fill in for veteran Walker Buehler, Dobbins delivered again. During Saturday night’s matchup against the Minnesota Twins, the right-hander came through with a solid performance, although Dobbins didn’t shy away from taking accountability for his lone blemish.

“Didn’t have my best stuff,” Dobbins told reporters after Boston’s 4-3 loss at Fenway Park, per NESN. “Felt like I competed, ran out of gas a little bit there in the sixth inning. I wasn’t executing as well as I should’ve. I definitely think Kody Clemens made a good swing on a pitch that I put in the bottom part of the zone, but ultimately, execution went downhill from there. At the end of the day, still had an opportunity to get out of that inning with minimal damage. … We’ll learn from it and be ready to go next week.”

Dobbins tossed 5 2/3 innings and allowed three earned runs off seven hits while walking and striking out two Twins hitters. It wasn’t the performance Dobbins hoped to deliver after holding Minnesota to one run entering the sixth inning, but it was enough to give the Red Sox a chance to win.

When asked what he’s learned now after three games at the big league level, Dobbins had plenty to offer — beyond Saturday night’s loss.

“A lot,” Dobbins replied. “You’re learning the best hitters in the world. You’re learning what stuff kind of plays against them, what stuff doesn’t. I’m also learning what pitches of mine play better at this level. Ultimately, I gotta throw it in the zone for it to play well, so we’ll be working on that a little bit more, but just taking it in stride and getting ready to go.”

Boston’s lineup only provided Dobbins with one run of insurance to work with while he was on the mound. So while the home runs allowed to Clemens didn’t help, the team understood Dobbins pulled his weight, regardless.

“He threw the ball well,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters, per NESN. “Made some good pitches. The slider to Clemens, in the honeyhole, hit it out of the ballpark. But overall, another good outing. He used off-speed pitches early on — the first six innings, then we put pressure on their bullpen, but we were unable to finish it.”

Here are more notes from Saturday night’s Red Sox-Twins game:

— Boston dropped to 18-17 with the loss and has lost three of its last four games, while Minnesota snapped its four-game losing streak.

— Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran went 2-for-5 with a double and a triple, which helped the 28-year-old notch a career-best 19-game on-base streak.

— Minnesota’s Clemens, the son of Red Sox legend Roger Clemens, went 1-for-4 at the plate with the go-ahead two-run home run that helped push the Twins across the finish line. It was Clemens’ first home run hit this season, and the 28-year-old launched it with his father in attendance to witness the moment.

“Him and his brother (Kory) were great ball players, and obviously his dad was, too,” Dobbins said. “So yeah, I knew who he was.”

— Boston and Minnesota underwent a one-hour and 12-minute rain delay before returning at the top of the seventh inning.

— The Red Sox and Twins will conclude their three-game set on Sunday afternoon. First pitch from Fenway Park is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET, and you can catch the game, plus a full hour of pregame coverage, live on NESN.