Hansel Robles' existence through his first couple of weeks in a Red Sox uniform were a microcosm of the frustration.
Serving as one of the two relief-pitching trade acquisitions, Robles' first impression was not great. There was awkward implosion in Detroit and then ill-advised brouhaha involving the pitcher vs. an entire Blue Jays team.
Meanwhile, the other teams that made July 30 moves were using their additions like jet fuel, flying away from the Red Sox in the American League standings.
By the time the third week of August rolled around, it appeared as though Robles was hovering around a Yacksel Rios-esque low-leverage existence.
Now, the conversation has changed. It turns out the righty actually might be a an enormous part of this equation. That was certainly the case Tuesday night.
With nowhere else to turn after yet another downturn from closer Matt Barnes (this one coming in the form of a homer and two-walk ninth inning), Alex Cora called on Robles to exude the upside that led to the Red Sox' deal with Minnesota .
Nobody believed for a moment such a scenario was ideal considering Robles' propensity for wildness, and uneven production. But this was a guy who had saved 10 games for the Twins team the Red Sox were about to hang an 11-9 defeat on, flashing an electric 99 mph fastball along the way.
Two strikeouts and a ground out stranded two runners and ended the Fenway Park anxiety.
"I was just pumped up," Robles said. "I had adrenaline flowing and I was excited to get the job done. I was waiting for a moment like this and I’m glad it happened.”
Fortunately for Cora and Co., they got the good Robles. It sure looks like that's the guy they are desperately going to need going forward.
Adam Ottavino has routinely been bobbing and weaving his way in and out of trouble almost every outing. Hirokazu Sawamura seems somewhat banged up, giving up two runs while getting just two outs against Minnesota. Ryan Brasier is on the horizon, but savior status is a lot to expect considering his absence from big-league action this season.
And then there is Barnes.
With his continued struggles, it would seem likely that Garrett Whitlock might be easing into the closers role. But the Red Sox, who were already at least a late-inning arm short when their All-Star was rolling, still need a passable Barnes.
"I'd be lying to you if I told you that it was easy to stay the course right now when I feel like every quality pitch that I throw is getting hit," Barnes said. "The percentages have to play themselves. I'll sit down with Bushy and AC and everyone tomorrow. We'll continue to work through it. It's definitely frustrating, it's definitely difficult to stay the course when it doesn't go your way. Anything is easy to buy into when it's all going great and things are awesome. But I've always been better when I'm in the zone, just plain and simple. The first four and a half months of this season were by far the best I've ever had in my career because of that. So while it might be frustrating and while I do think some good pitches are getting hit, I don't know that changing my game plan completely because of four or five games out of 50 is necessarily the right answer. But that's a discussion to be had tomorrow."
Until they figure that out, Robles is going to be needed more than the Red Sox probably ever anticipated.
The righty's existence can be uncomfortable. There are unnecessary windup alterations, ill-advised pickoff moves, and poorly timed bouts of wildness. But he's what they have got right now.
This is the guy the Red Sox had better hope they were right on.
“Obviously Matt is our closer," Robles said after his latest save. "I knew that was his moment. I always get myself ready just in case because you never know. Obviously, he has his role and if they needed me, I would be there.”