Red Sox Manager Gets Honest on Brayan Bello’s ‘Tough’ Outing

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Brayan Bello struggled with his command on Thursday.

Bello made his 27th start of the season on Thursday against the Athletics as Boston was looking to win the series. However, the right-hander struggled as he went four innings, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks.

Following the 5-3 loss to the Athletics, Cora says Bello was struggling with his command, which is why he got pulled after just 70 pitches and four innings.

“Yeah, it was tough,” Cora said of Bello’s outing. “Command was off. Didn’t finish pitches. They put some good swings on him. He kind of found it in the fourth, but at that time, we knew we had Payton, so we went to him.”

Bello is now 11-8 with a 3.34 ERA in 28 games (one relief appearance) this season after his tough outing against the Athletics.

Also, with the loss, the Red Sox fell to 83-70 and just 1.5 games up on the Cleveland Guardians for the final Wild Card spot.

Yet, despite the series loss to the Athletics, Cora remains confident in his team.

“We control our own destiny,” said Cora. “So go to Tampa, win a series. That’s the way I see it.”

Boston now goes on the road for a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Red Sox haven’t made the playoffs since the 2021 season.