The Boston Red Sox have made another lineup adjustment as they attempt to end their four-game losing streak against the Toronto Blue Jays, with Nick Sogard once again moving to the bottom of the batting order.
Boston has struggled to generate runs during its recent skid, scoring only 10 runs across the four consecutive losses. Sogard, who had frequently occupied a prominent spot in the lineup, has now been penciled into the No. 9 spot for the second straight game.
The change appears to be largely connected to the return of Adley Rutschman.
Rutschman made his Red Sox debut Tuesday after being activated from the 10-day injured list. The veteran catcher, acquired from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline, was immediately placed third in the order behind Masataka Yoshida and Ceddanne Rafaela.
He responded by reaching base three times, going 1-for-3 with two walks despite Boston’s 5-3 loss.
Rutschman had been sidelined since July 18 because of inflammation in his left wrist. His return gave Boston another established hitter in the middle of the lineup, forcing Sogard down the order.
Sogard followed Andruw Monasterio in the No. 9 spot Tuesday and remained there Wednesday. It marks only the fourth time this season that Boston has batted him ninth.
Still, the move should not be interpreted as a sign that the Red Sox have lost confidence in Sogard.
The versatile infielder has appeared at first base, second base, third base and shortstop this season. In 81 at-bats, he has produced a .259/.381/.346 slash line while providing Boston with valuable defensive flexibility.
He has also continued to show patience at the plate. Over his last seven games, Sogard is 7-for-27 (.259) with four runs scored and a .394 on-base percentage. Perhaps most encouragingly, he has drawn six walks during that stretch.
He also reached base three times Tuesday with a hit and two walks, although Boston once again struggled to capitalize on its opportunities.
Red Sox Struggling to Convert Opportunities
Boston’s recent problem has not necessarily been getting runners on base. The bigger issue has been bringing them home.
During the four-game losing streak, the Red Sox are just 3-for-36 with runners in scoring position and have stranded 38 runners. Tuesday was particularly frustrating, as Boston went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position while leaving nine runners on base.
The Red Sox had been one of baseball’s most dangerous teams in those situations during their nine-game winning streak. From July 29 through August 7, Boston hit a major-league-best .360 with runners in scoring position.
Since June 25, the Red Sox still rank first in the American League and third in the majors with a .301 average in those situations.
That makes the recent offensive drought especially notable.
Rutschman’s arrival has certainly altered the lineup and pushed Sogard lower in the order, but his move to ninth does not appear to be the primary reason for Boston’s recent struggles.
The Red Sox are still creating opportunities. They simply have not been delivering the timely hits needed to turn those chances into runs.
With Boston attempting to stop its slide against Toronto, Sogard will remain an important piece of the lineup despite his lower position. His ability to reach base and contribute at multiple defensive spots gives the Red Sox another useful weapon as they search for a way to reignite their offense.