Alex Cora Justifies Early Removal of Red Sox’s Brayan Bello
Alex Cora made a significant decision regarding Brayan Bello during Game 2 for the Boston Red Sox. The young pitcher struggled early, leading to a quick exit in a high-stakes matchup against the New York Yankees.
Brayan Bello’s Early Exit Explained
In Game 2, Bello allowed two runs in the opening inning against the Yankees. After two singles in the third, Cora opted to replace him with left-handed reliever Justin Wilson. This strategic decision was fueled by the presence of multiple left-handed hitters in the Yankees lineup.
Cora’s Rationale Behind the Decision
Cora justified his choice during a post-game interview, stating, “It was a tough lineup. A bunch of lefties. The at-bats were getting better with the lefties.” He emphasized the importance of leveraging the bullpen effectively during critical moments.
- Bello struggled with a 5.40 ERA in September.
- He surrendered a two-run home run to Ben Rice in the first inning.
- Wilson effectively retired key left-handed batters, maintaining a 2-2 tie.
Cora acknowledged that his decision to lift Bello may have frustrated the young pitcher. However, he stressed the importance of adapting in October baseball, stating, “It’s different.”
Implications for Upcoming Games
The Red Sox’s bullpen performed admirably, limiting the Yankees to two runs over 5 2/3 innings. Despite this, Garrett Whitlock allowed the decisive run in the eighth, resulting in a loss for Boston.
Looking forward, Cora plans to approach Game 3 with caution. Rookie Connelly Early is scheduled to start, and he may have an even shorter leash this time around. This critical matchup will take place at Yankee Stadium, starting at 8:08 p.m. ET on ESPN.
