Rick Porcello took out his frustrations on the dugout TVs after he gave up a first-inning run to the Rays on Wednesday night.
After a rough stretch where he had a 10.57 ERA from June 23 to July 20, Porcello was a little better in his previous start last Thursday against the Yankees, allowing three runs in six innings and withstanding a 47-pitch second inning in a game where the Red Sox romped, 19-3.
Still, it didn't get any better in the second inning when he allowed a solo homer to Kevin Kiermaier and a three-run shot to Austin Meadows that had the Red Sox in a 5-0 hole.
The early deficit was just what already disappointed Sox fans didn't need after waiting through a trade deadline where the underachieving defending champions failed to make a move.
No doubt a few them felt like smacking their TVs.
Boston Red Sox
Porcello's final line: 5 2/3 innings, nine hits, six runs (all earned), one walk, seven strikeouts, a 9-8 record after taking the loss, with a 5.74 ERA and two busted TVs.
Asked about it after the game, Porcello said he had forgotten he had done the TV smacking: "I forgot I did that." he said. "It was a reaction out of frustration and obviously behavior that I don't condone. I apologize to anyone who had to watch that."
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