Ranger Suarez throws four scoreless in return

Suarez allowed two walks and only struck out two. He had made it through four scoreless before things unraveled in the fifth, though there was a questionable umpiring decision involving Ceddanne Rafaela on a ball he appeared to catch. Rafaela was ruled to have “trapped” the ball even after review. That led to a two-run hit from Paul Goldschmidt, followed by a Heliot Ramos three-run homer. The Yankees took the season series with the victory. That could affect home-field advantage in the Wild Card Series if the two rivals finish with identical records. Suarez is scheduled to face the Orioles on the road next time out.

Suarez was uncharacteristically wild in this one, handing out a season-high four free passes, in addition to hitting a pair of batters, needing a staggering 93 pitches to complete five frames. He finished with four strikeouts and managed to limit Miami’s lineup to just a second-inning sacrifice fly from Otto Lopez. He’s struggled to work deep into starts, pitching into the sixth inning just once in six outings since coming off the injured list on July 26. It hasn’t been a massive issue for the Red Sox since Brayan Bello has been a revelation coming out of the bullpen as a multi-inning weapon. He’ll get the ball against the Yankees in a challenging road tilt to close out a two-start week on Sunday.

Congratulations to Suarez on his first decision since June. All of the runs came on Gabriel Moreno’s grand slam in the third, making this Suarez’s first win while giving up four runs since Sept. 21, 2023. He’s now 5-3 while posting a 3.41 ERA in 22 starts this season, and he’ll pitch in Miami next time out.

Suarez gave up six hits, walked one and struck out two. It’s the first time he’s completed at least five innings in a start since June 29 against the Nationals. Suarez’ 3.25 ERA and 3.32 xFIP are in line with his career norms, he just had a July to forget. Even though he only recorded two strikeouts Wednesday, Suarez has a 25 percent strikeout percentage this year. He’s lined up for a two-start week next week, starting with the Diamondbacks at home on Monday.

Suarez had an easy enough first two innings, but he gave up a walk, a homer, another walk and two singles in a 42-pitch third inning and then didn’t come back out for the fourth. He still hasn’t completed five innings in any of his three starts since coming off the IL, and he seems like a mediocre play next time out against the Blue Jays and Dylan Cease. However, since he’ll likely make two starts next week, including one in Pittsburgh, it’d be difficult not to use him in weekly leagues.

Not wanting him to face Shohei Ohtani for a third time, the Red Sox employed a surprisingly quick hook with Suarez after a walk and two singles in the fifth. So, Jovani Moran replaced him and gave up a homer to Ohtani anyway. Suarez threw just 65 pitches before exiting, and his stuff was fine. It would have been just fine to keep him in. Maybe he’ll be allowed to complete five innings next week against the White Sox.

The 30-year-old southpaw had been sidelined since the first week of July due to a left groin strain, and then had his return delayed slightly while battling an illness. He’ll rejoin the Red Sox’ rotation for Sunday afternoon’s series finale against the Blue Jays at Fenway Park.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy confirmed that Suarez is finally ready to take the ball after his return from the injured list was delayed by an illness earlier this week. The 30-year-old All-Star southpaw will return to a red-hot Boston squad after missing exactly three weeks with a groin strain. He got off to a bit of a slow start in his Red Sox debut, but finished the first half with a sparkling 3.15 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 97/26 K/BB ratio across 91 1/3 innings. It’ll be rookie Peyton Tolle drawing the starting assignment for Monday’s series opener against the Athletics out in West Sacramento.

Suarez was on track to return from the injured list earlier this week before an illness disrupted those plans. Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy told reporters that the veteran southpaw is feeling better and could potentially take the ball for Sunday’s series finale against the Blue Jays since they want to keep rookie Payton Tolle on schedule for Monday’s series opener in West Sacramento against the Athletics.

It appears the Red Sox are going to give Ranger Suarez a couple extra days to rest while battling an illness before activating him from the injured list. Sandoval has allowed six runs over 9 1/3 innings of work across a pair of starts since making his season debut earlier this month.