Payton Tolle Explains Why He's Frustrated With Start Against Blue Jays

Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle

Payton Tolle Explains Why He's Frustrated With Start Against Blue Jays originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Boston Red Sox left-hander Payton Tolle wasn’t happy with his start on Tuesday.

The Red Sox gave the left-hander the ball as Boston looked to win the series after taking the first game of the series on Monday. Yet, Tolle had his struggles as he went just 4.1 innings, allowing three runs on three hits, while walking four.

After the outing, Tolle admitted he didn’t feel like himself and didn’t have it, which was frustrating for him.

“Just didn’t feel myself,” Tolle said postgame on Tuesday. “Really thought I was pressing a little too hard on myself. Even Connelly (Early) came in here and said, ‘Hey, you look like you’re beating yourself up.’ So, definitely felt like I got in my own way today.”

Although Tolle failed to go five innings, Red Sox’s interim manager Chad Tracy said they expected the left-hander to not go as deep after going six innings against the Yankees. Tolle’s velocity also averaged 95 MPH, after averaging 97.1 MPH against the Yankees, which also led to his early pull.

“Keep in mind that he had 10 days off (before throwing against the Yankees), and he went to 93 pitches,” Tracy said when asked about Tolle’s velocity. “So we knew that, and it was still 95 (MPH), mostly. So, it wasn’t like he was soft-tossing, but it was something we were aware of going into the game.”