May 23
Bard struggled with his control again Wednesday, walking four (with just two strikeouts) and hitting a batter, but he held the Orioles to just two runs on five hits in 5.1 innings. The win improved him to 4-5 on the year.
Recommendation: Bard now has 29 walks against 28 strikeouts this season -- uninspiring numbers from the converted setup man. A stunning 17 of those walks have come in his last four starts. Don't be surprised if this was one of his final gasps in the starting rotation.
May 23
RHP Daniel Bard was effectively inefficient Wednesday against the Orioles. Bard lasted only 5 1/3 innings and issued four walks, marking the fourth consecutive start in which he has allowed at least four free passes. But he also allowed only two earned runs in a 6-5 Red Sox victory. "It's really weird, man," Bard said. "They're not hitting the ball hard consistently off me. It's been like one home run the last two games, solo homer. Just a struggle with getting ahead in the count. My head's in a good place. I'm feeling confident out there, but I'm having trouble repeating the delivery at the same time. It's a little bit of the opposite of what I had the few outings before this, where the delivery was locked in, but I wasn't trusting the ball to the middle of the plate, and that's where the walks came from. I feel like I'm in a good place. It's just a matter of finding that delivery I can repeat consistently."
