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What Red Sox’ Greg Weissert called ‘annoying’ beyond allowing go-ahead homer
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- What Red Sox’ Greg Weissert called ‘annoying’ beyond allowing go-ahead homer
CINCINNATI — Red Sox reliever Greg Weissert had a simple approach going against Reds slugger Eugenio Suárez with two runners on base and Boston leading 2-0 in the sixth inning.
“Don’t throw the ball right down the middle,” Weissert explained. “The report was fastballs up. I just didn’t get it up.”
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Weissert was ahead 0-2 in the count against Suárez, who belted 49 home runs last year. The 31-year-old righty threw a fastball down the middle of the plate. Suárez sent it 431 feet to left field for a go-ahead three-run home run.
The Reds won 3-2 at Great American Ball Park to take the regular-season opening series, 2-1.
“You just can’t miss there in the spot, especially after the walk,” Weissert said.
Weissert admitted the walk he allowed to the previous batter frustrated him just as much as the home run.
Weissert took over for starter Connelly Early with a runner at first base. He walked Sal Stewart on five pitches before Suárez took him deep.
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“It’s annoying,” Weissert said. “Obviously he (Stewart) is super hot right now, so I was trying to make good sinkers, maybe get him on the ground, turn the double play, but he just wasn’t biting at them.”
Weissert said if he misses his location in that situation, it needs to miss “way, way up.”
“Obviously I didn’t get it there, so that happened,” Weissert added. “Lose the game because of it.”
Weissert said it was more about execution than pitch selection.
“Maybe I threw one too many fastballs to him facing him yesterday and today,” Weissert said. “But you can nitpick. If he pops it up, it’s a great outing. If you do what you do, he does what he does, it’s a bad one.”
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Weissert was excellent for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic, throwing 3⅓ scoreless innings. He struck out five and recorded three saves.
But in two appearances this season, he has allowed three runs on three hits — including two home runs — and two walks while striking out three in 1⅔ innings.
“I feel fine,” Weissert said. “My body’s fine and everything. It’s just bad execution.”
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