Editor's note: NESN.com is going to tell the story of the 2012 Red Sox in Bobby Valentine's words. Each game day, we will select a Valentine quote that sums up the day for the Red Sox.
When Darnell McDonald came in to pitch the 17th inning for the Red Sox on Sunday, he was truly a final option.
But the Red Sox aren't playing 17-inning games every day, and they have so much talent on their roster and in the minors that they can't say they're low on options much longer.
On Sunday, the bullpen started its work in the fourth inning, after Clay Buchholz was pulled following another disappointing performance. Every possible reliever was then used to stem the tide.
It was an incredible effort by the bullpen, and one that showed the relief staff's ability after many shaky appearances so far this season. The relievers allowed just one run after Buchholz left — an unearned score in the eighth.
But the Sox were out of arms when the 17th rolled around, so manager Bobby Valentine followed Orioles skipper Buck Showalter's lead and brought in a position player. Baltimore's sub had done the job, retiring the Red Sox in the bottom of the 16th, but McDonald didn't have the same luck. A three-run blast marred his appearance and ended the Boston homestand with another defeat.
"I wish there was another option [than using McDonald]," Valentine said after the game.
Amidst the remnants of Sunday's loss stand some lessons for the Red Sox moving forward — the biggest being that, most days, there are other options.
The bullpen was excellent against the O's, but the starting pitching was not. "Starting pitching," of course, means Buchholz. The former shutdown starter has allowed at least five earned runs in every one of his games so far this year. He's about even on strikeouts and walks. Worst of all, though, he has no idea what the problem is.
Boston has known for a while that Buchholz is really struggling, but he remains protected as a starter. This latest performance, however, did more than just tax the pitching staff — it may have severely affected the relievers for weeks to come. The bullpen will be fatigued as it works through a stretch of 17 games in 17 days.
The Buchholz conundrum is just one of several spots on the team where veterans are struggling, but the team is slow to move on from the incumbent players. Kevin Youkilis was fighting through back pain for days before Will Middlebrooks was definitively called up. Aaron Cook was hot in the minors while Buchholz, Jon Lester and Josh Beckett all had rough outings. Daisuke Matsuzaka is due back soon. Jarrod Saltalamacchia has had tough times at the plate.
Some of the players are just having a hard time and will shake off their slumps soon. But it cannot be denied that Boston has a bounty of talent in the minors with a corresponding stash of struggling major leaguers.
The catch, of course, is that these players can't be switched in and out like fantasy pieces. There's no guarantee that a hot youngster will be just as good if called up. And there's no going back when you hurt a veteran's pride.
The Red Sox had no need to hang their heads after running out of options on Sunday. But the time for slumps and slow starts is dwindling quickly, with the next step becoming clear: It's time to have those awkward conversations and make some gutsy roster moves.
