ARLINGTON, Texas — It’s not circle-the-wagons time for Boston but it is time for the Red Sox to start playing better.
Boston, which is 22-29 and in last place in the American League East, has lost six of its last seven games and Red Sox manager John Farrell had a talk with his veterans before Sunday’s 4-3 loss to Texas.
“There was a group of guys I had in to talk about a number of things,” said Farrell, who didn’t mention the players involved. I guess the short version of it would be, for us to play with some aggressiveness and some smartness inside the game situation. Without getting too detailed, but it was an opportunity to meet with our veteran group, to re-emphasize the importance of the role that they provide to the younger players and how they go about, and execute inside the game.”
Farrell said he met with five players and the meeting provided them an opportunity to speak as well because Farrell wanted their input.
This isn’t the first time Farrell has called a meeting like that this year. He said the impetus for this meeting was the fact he thought the Red Sox played tentative in Saturday’s 8-0 loss to Texas.
Monday night’s game against the Twins at Fenway Park in Boston was postponed due to rain and will be made up at 1:35 p.m. Wednesday as part of a day-night doubleheader against the Twins.
Tuesday night’s game against the Twins is still set for 7:10 p.m. Boston will send right-hander Clay Buchholz (2-6, 4.33 ERA) to the mound while the Twins will start righty Mike Pelfrey (4-1, 2.77).
Sox lefty Eduardo Rodriguez will try to follow up last Wednesday’s strong debut when he pitches the first game of the twinbill while right-hander Rick Porcello will start the nightcap. Knuckleball pitcher Steven Wright will close out the four-game series at 4:05 p.m. Thursday.
Masterson struggles
Boston righty Justin Masterson (right shoulder tendinitis) struggled in a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket Sunday. Masterson lasted just 1 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on two hits. He walked three, struck out two and threw two wild pitches in the 50-pitch start.
Left-hander Robbie Ross Jr. was sent to Pawtucket on Sunday after pitching three innings against Texas. The Red Sox purchased the contract of infielder Jeff Bianchi to take the roster spot. Bianchi elected free agency Saturday after refusing an outright assignment Saturday.
Ramirez on a roll
Left fielder Hanley Ramirez is starting to heat up. After batting just .210 in the first 22 games in May, Ramirez closed the month by batting .353 in the four-game series against Texas with two home runs and four RBIs.
Meanwhile, Xander Bogaerts ended the road trip better than he started it. Bogaerts went 0-for-16 to start the seven game series for the Red Sox but had hits in each of his final three plate appearances Sunday. He now has four games with at least three hits this year, which is second on the team. Dustin Pedroia leads the way with five.