Dustin May Struggles in Red Sox Debut Amid Pitching Adjustments
By Hayden Bird | August 7, 2025 | 9:50 AM
BOSTON — In his much-anticipated debut with the Boston Red Sox, right-hander Dustin May faced difficulties, contributing to the team’s 7-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park. Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers during the trade deadline, May’s performance did little to maintain Boston’s seven-game winning streak, as he allowed six hits and three runs over 3.2 innings while striking out four batters.
At 27, May joined the Red Sox after struggling with a 4.85 ERA over 104 innings in Los Angeles this season. "I started off good, then just fell apart," reflected May after the game. He emphasized the need for better mechanics and execution moving forward.
Having pitched both for the visiting Dodgers and the home Red Sox at Fenway in the past two weeks, May hasn’t found his rhythm in the storied ballpark, conceding four earned runs in his previous outing as well. Despite the challenges, he expressed his admiration for Fenway and the enthusiastic fans, stating, "I like it a lot. It’s great."
In a bid to revitalize his performance, Red Sox coaching staff have suggested reworking May’s pitch usage, particularly advocating for increased reliance on his cutter. "They see it as a weapon pitch," May noted, agreeing that effective execution is crucial for its success.
Looking ahead, the Red Sox will aim to bounce back as they travel to San Diego for a three-game series against the Padres, starting Friday night.
In other baseball news, Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. made headlines with a stunning home run that struck a 103.9 MPH fastball, marking the fastest pitch hit for a home run since tracking began in 2008.
Stay tuned for more updates from the Boston sports scene.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
