Red Sox’ Roman Anthony: ‘This is unacceptable. It’s unacceptable to the fans’

BOSTON — An accountable Roman Anthony stood in front of reporters in the Red Sox clubhouse after an 8-6 loss to the Padres on Sunday that dropped Boston to 2-7.

It marks just the sixth time the Sox have started a season with a 2-7 record since 1950. It last happened in 2019.

“This is unacceptable. It’s unacceptable to the fans,” Anthony said. “It’s unacceptable to the standard that we set for ourselves.”

While one veteran everyday player declined to make himself available to the media, the 21-year-old Anthony delivered a clear, straightforward and strong message.

“We understand that we simply just need to be better,” Anthony said.

Anthony is 8 for 34 (.235) to start the season. He worked on his swing after the game.

“You just continue to show up every day and work your (expletive) off and get in the video room and be as prepared as you possibly can,” Anthony said. “I don’t think that we’re not doing that. I think this is just a tough stretch. And we need to find a way to just bring more energy in and just be better.”

The Red Sox are struggling in most areas. They scored a season-high six runs Sunday but they are averaging only 3.3 runs per game to go along with 10.3 strikeouts a game. They have the majors’ fifth-highest chase percentage (33.3%).

Red Sox starters have the fourth-worst ERA (5.19) in the majors while Boston’s bullpen has given up eight home runs in 35 innings.

“It’s not one man’s fault,” Anthony said. “I think just as a team, we need to be better. I need to be better. Everyone in this room understands that they need to be better. And it’s as simple as that. A lot of season left.”

Anthony stressed the importance of preparing well every day.

“And kind of just feed off of each other and leave it up to the next guy,” Anthony said. “Do everything you can to just find a way on, find a way to execute pitches. Just do whatever you can to help the team win to just win.”

On Sunday, starter Ranger Suárez, Boston’s prized free-agent addition, failed to hold a four-run lead. After Boston took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning, Suárez surrendered three runs in the fourth.

“I cannot allow that to happen,” Suárez said through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez.

All four runs that Suárez allowed were earned, but manager Alex Cora pointed to a throwing error by catcher Carlos Narváez on a pickoff attempt during San Diego’s three-run fourth inning. It allowed two runners to advance into scoring position.

“We didn’t help ourselves,” Cora said. “I think in that inning they became very aggressive, but we made some decisions there that put them in a good spot to score runs.”

Suárez, who signed a five-year, $130 million contract in January, has allowed eight runs, 13 hits and three walks while striking out five in 8 ⅓ innings over two starts.

“Obviously not the way I wanted the first two starts to go,” said Suárez, who added that he needs to turn the page.

“We’re 2-7. I mean, the record is the record,” Cora said. “So we’ve just gotta show up tomorrow. We got another tough team coming (the Brewers). They’re one of the best teams in big leagues. We’ve gotta play better baseball.”

Anthony added, “It seems dark right now, which it may be, but there’s a lot of baseball left, and we know that. I think we’ve been pretty good at turning the page. And again, unfortunately, it just hasn’t gone our way. But just got to be better.”

When Cora was asked if he is considering changes to the lineup, he replied, “We’ll make adjustments.”

“But I think there were some signs today that were positive, others that just stay the same,” Cora said. “You’ve gotta stay the course. That’s how it works. You cannot overreact for this series. You’ve gotta play better. That’s the bottom line.”

Like Anthony, Trevor Story is always accountable and available to reporters. But he’s also struggling mightily at the plate. He went 1 for 5 with two strikeouts. He is 5 for 42 (.119) with no walks and 17 strikeouts from the No. 2 spot in the batting order.

Cora sidestepped a question about whether he still likes Story hitting at the top of his lineup.

“I still like Trevor Story as a player,” Cora replied.

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