Red Sox's Steven Wright: First-inning trouble leads to Friday's loss

Wright allowed five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out one over six innings in Friday night's loss to the Royals.

Analysis:

Wright, who hadn't pitched since Aug. 5, had trouble finding a release point in the first inning, walking a couple of batters and giving up two homers, putting Boston behind, 5-0, early. Other than that, he was fine. With a little luck or timely hitting, he might have escaped. Boston's offense racked up 15 hits, but left 12 men on base, including going 0-for-2 (two strikeouts) with the bases loaded. With his return to the rotation out of the way, Wright will look to build off his final five scoreless innings next Wednesday when he faces the Rays in Boston.