Alex Cora Stresses Need For Contributions From Struggling Bat

The Boston Red Sox have scored one run in two games following the All-Star break. On Friday, they outhit the Chicago Cubs, 7-6, but left eight runners on base and grounded into two double plays.

On Saturday, they failed to get a single run on the board, leaving seven runners stranded.

In both the second and seventh innings, Connor Wong came to the plate with two runners on base and two outs. He ended the inning each time. On the season, Wong is 0-30 with runners in scoring position. He has one run batted in via a sacrifice fly.

After the Red Sox’s 6-0 loss to the Cubs, Alex Cora spoke to the media about the struggling catcher.

“We need [Wong] to contribute,” Cora said. “We’re not going to play [Carlos Narvaez] every day.”

Narvaez has already surpassed his career high for innings caught in a season. The major league season is a grind, and catcher is a very demanding position.

It’s not as if Wong has always been offensively inept. Last season, he was an above-average hitter. In 126 games, his wRC+ was 111, 11% above the league average. This season, he’s hitting .149 without a home run, good for a wRC+ of nine.

Wong has made strides behind the plate, which have kept him on the roster. He’s both framing and blocking the ball better. Pitchers have also complimented his ability to receive the ball and call a game.

Still, if Wong continues to be a near-automatic out, the Red Sox may be forced to look to the trade market for a backup catcher.