Just when it appeared things were turning around for Trevor Story, along came Thursday afternoon.
For the 14th time in the infielder's career he struck out four times in a single game, this time fanning in each of the plate appearances against Los Angeles starter Shohei Ohtani.
The hitless game dropped Story's batting average to .210. It was the first time since July 18, 2021 he had struck out four times, having managed the feat on three occasions last season.
Story's first punchout came via an 89 mph split-fingered fastball, while his second was a swing and a miss on a 97 mph heater. He struck out again in the fifth inning, swinging at a slider. In the seventh, the righty hitter capped his day by fouling another 97 mph fastball into the catcher's mitt.
The final strikeout elicited a chorus of boos from the Fenway Park crowd.
The downturn comes after it appeared as though Story might be turning a corner, collecting two hits Wednesday night. Two games prior in Baltimore he managed three walks.
After the Red Sox' 8-0 loss to the Angels, Story was not available for comment, staying in the hitting cage hours after the final pitch. Some of his teammates and his manager did speak on his behalf when asked about the newcomer's plight.
"Expectations here are what they are. What the fans expect are the same things he expects. That’s part of the equation," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. He added, "He’s been good. He’s working hard. Very structured. Always competing. Working at it. Working at second base. Since Day 1 the work ethic, the way he goes about it, it hasn’t changed."
"I didn’t hear the crowd. I don’t know what happened, but Trevor’s a professional," said J.D. Martinez. "He’s a proven All-Star. My first month here, I think I was hitting like .200 and then I turned it on. So, I’m not putting anything past him. He’s a great player. He’s proven himself for a while now. So, I always like to measure guys at the end of the year, not after a month.”