Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington says manager Bobby Valentine’s job is safe.
But the pitchers, that’s another story.
Cherington held a closed-door meeting late Saturday night with Valentine, CEO Larry Lucchino and majority owner John W. Henry after the Red Sox blew a 9-0 lead in a 15-9 loss to the rival Yankees. Valentine was booed throughout the game by the crowd of 37,839.
Cherington said he was “very satisfied” with Valentine’s managing of the 4-10 Red Sox, who are last in the American League East.
Boston has lost five in a row at home. The last time the Red Sox did that was in 2006 when Boston lost five games to the Yankees, a series dubbed the “Boston Massacre.” Saturday’s loss has been called the “Bobby Valentine’s Day Massacre.”
Yet Cherington said Boston’s pitchers are a reason for the poor start, not Valentine. The Red Sox have a team ERA of 6.68, worst in the majors.
“Our pitching performance has to improve,” he said. “That’s the bottom line.”
What about Valentine, who came out of the broadcast booth to return to the dugout?
“He’s doing the best he can with the roster he has. It’ll get better,” Cherington said. “He knows that and I know that, and along the way if changes need to be made on the roster, that’s my responsibility.”
BLANKS’ SEASON OVER
Padres infielder-outfielder Kyle Blanks will undergo season-ending surgery on his left shoulder, the second time he’s had a year cut short by a major operation.
Blanks tore his labrum while swinging a bat. He missed time in spring training with the injury, but started the season with San Diego and played in four games before going on the disabled list on April 14.
BRAUN GETS AWARD
Ryan Braun has been given his National League MVP trophy in a ceremony before Milwaukee hosted the Colorado Rockies on Sunday by Robin Yount, another Milwaukee MVP award winner.
Braun received a brief standing ovation when he was introduced following a video tribute.
Standing outside the Brewers dugout, he was given the Silver Slugger award as the NL’s top-hitting left fielder from team owner Mark Attanasio.
Braun hit .332 in 2011 with 33 homers, 111 RBI, 109 runs scored and 33 stolen bases, leading the Brewers to the NL Championship Series.
Shortly after he won the MVP award, it was reported by ESPN that Braun tested positive in October for elevated testosterone but his 50-game suspension was overturned on appeal.
SHORT HOPS
Minnesota right-hander Nick Blackburn is set to rejoin the Twins’ starting rotation Tuesday night. Blackburn felt a cramp in the back of his right shoulder April 14 against Texas. He threw a 52-pitch bullpen session. ... The Toronto Blue Jays placed closer Sergio Santos on the 15-day disabled with right shoulder inflammation. Santos is 2-for-4 in save situations with an 0-1 record and 9.00 ERA in six relief appearances. Manager John Farrell said Francisco Cordero, who had 327 career saves, would be the closer in Santos’ absence.
