Issues proceed to go from dangerous to worse for Purple Sox star Rafael Devers after placing out three extra instances on Monday in a loss to the Orioles in Baltimore.
The robust day on the plate noticed Devers go 0-for-3 with two walks and three strikeouts and moved him to 0-for-19 via the primary 5 video games of the season.
It additionally introduced his strikeout complete to fifteen over 19 at-bats, which is remarkably the identical variety of strikeouts Tony Gwynn had in 585 at-bats through the 1995 season.
Regardless of the struggles, Devers did look like in good spirits when he spoke with reporters after the loss.
“I’ve been feeling good. Feeling good immediately, I felt good in any respect the at-bats. Clearly I haven’t been in a position to hit the ball, however I really feel good. I really feel like my at-bats are getting higher and higher,” he mentioned.
Nonetheless, at the same time as Devers tried to placed on a courageous face, the numbers haven’t been sort to the infielder.
The 15 strikeouts via 5 video games are essentially the most in MLB historical past via that timespan, with Devers surpassing Cubs outfielder Ian Happ’s 14 strikeouts in 2018 to start out the season.
“I by no means modified the best way that I hit. I’m nonetheless aggressive,” Devers mentioned. “My batting stance and every little thing like that, I’ve all the time been like that. Possibly I’m pondering an excessive amount of on the plate what the pitcher would possibly throw or not, however in any other case, I really feel excellent.”
Devers’ stoop has garnered loads of consideration and reactions, which included former Purple Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon.
Throughout NESN’s protection of Sunday’s loss, Papelbon prompt that Devers was “out of practice” and that “possibly we’ve bought to trim a bit of little bit of fats.”
The Purple Sox are off on Tuesday earlier than persevering with their collection with the Orioles on Wednesday, which will probably be Devers’ subsequent probability to get a success.
