John Farrell explains Red Sox’s bullpen usage in loss to Rays

10:53 PM ET

BOSTON — Wondering why the Boston Red Sox trusted William Cuevas, a 25-year-old starting pitcher who was making his major league debut, to get precious outs in the eighth inning with the score tied Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays?

Consider manager John Farrell’s pregame comments on the state of the bullpen.

“We’re looking forward to [starter] David [Price] getting to the mound today and doing what he’s capable of,” Farrell said. “Hopefully that gives some guys another day of recovery out there in the pen.”

As it turned out, Price gave the Red Sox only 3 2/3 innings, marking only the eighth time in 217 career starts that he failed to finish the fourth inning. A rare dud from the ace lefty — Price exited with the Rays leading 8-5 — put even more strain on a bullpen that has been taxed heavily through the season’s first 15 games. Right-hander Matt Barnes replaced Price and delivered 2 1/3 scoreless innings, enough to allow the offense to trim the …

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