Boston Red Sox pitcher Patrick Sandoval The Boston Red Sox were one of the hottest teams in baseball over the last month and a half, but have cooled down as of late. They are 3-7 in their last 10 and have seen some of their pitchers struggle. On Sunday, Patrick Sandoval allowed seven earned runs in four innings of work. He had been pitching well recently, so Sunday's blow up start was a shock. He received a visit from the trainer on Sunday as well, in the fourth inning. "Patrick Sandoval said he’s been pitching through a blister on his left foot basically all season (thus the trainer visit in the fourth inning)," The Boston Globe's Alex Speier reported on Sunday. "He says it’s just a matter of pain tolerance." Any sort of minor injury can impact any player's performance, but especially pitchers. A blister in his left foot would certainly be something that is difficult to manage, but he has been doing it all year. Given Jake Bennett's recent struggles, the Red Sox will need their other arms to step up. They know what they are going to get out of the top-end guys like Ranger Suarez, Payton Tolle and Sonny Gray.
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Sandoval has made seven starts this season, posting a 4.76 ERA. Before Sunday's start, he had a 3.30 ERA. The blister is not the reason he struggled on Sunday, as he was pitching better while managing it prior to the start. However, it is certainly something to keep an eye on as the team moves forward and pushes for the postseason. More MLB: Dodgers Place Justin Wrobleski on Injured List; Who Will Take His Place In Rotation?