Rick Porcello is a smart guy.
As his manager Alex Cora often points out, the Red Sox pitcher is undoubtedly one of the club's bigger students of the game. Part of that is having a keen self-awareness, which was put on display after another uneasy start.
Following the Red Sox' 12-4 loss to the Angels, Porcello managed to succinctly sum his existence with just 23 words. (For a complete recap, click here.)
"Last year was a dream season," he said. "This year you're getting punched in the face every fifth day. It is what it is."
Porcello's downfall this time was a result of another poor first inning and one really ill-timed pitch to the best player in baseball.
The Red Sox starter dug himself a hole once again, this time via a three-run homer from Justin Upton in the opening frame. So far this season, Porcello has allowed hitters a .324 batting average and .694 OPS in the first inning, giving up 20 runs in 24 tries.
Then, as has been often been the case, he settled down.
But along came Mike Trout.
The superstar who had never hit a home run at Fenway Park jumped all over a first-pitch, 89 mph fastball from Porcello and launched it 428 feet. The two-run homer changed the look of Porcello's outing and the Red Sox' chances
"Honestly, the worst part about that is that was the best hitter, and that was the worst pitch I threw the entire day," Porcello said. "And that's what happens."
When it was all said and done the righty was left with a five-inning outing in which he surrendered the five runs, pushing his ERA to 5.67. It also killed the momentum he had garnered with six innings of one-run ball the start before. Welcome to Porcello's world this time around.
*Boston accent*That ball went wicked fahr. pic.twitter.com/fpkY74qaXz
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) August 10, 2019
The Red Sox have allowed multiple home runs in 10 of their 14 games beginning July 28 and are 17-30 when giving up two or more homers.