Remember that four-game sequence in May when the Boston Red Sox became just the fourth MLB team since 1961 to plate 11 runners in four consecutive games, hanging an astounding 40 runs on the Oakland Athletics in just three games? 

Now, as Boston tumbles through a 7-11 stretch to begin the month of June, the Red Sox would trade anything just for a sliver of that run production. 

Red Sox offense scuffling

While the team still leads the MLB in distinct fashion in average, OPS, runs scored, total bases, and hits while boasting two of the American League's three leaders in batting average in shortstop Xander Bogaerts (.347) and designated hitter David Ortiz (.339), the offense has not been present as of late. 

Third baseman Travis Shaw has batted just .210 in June, and could be sidelined with an ankle injury. | AP
Third baseman Travis Shaw has batted just .210 in June, and could be sidelined with an ankle injury. | AP

Despite consecutive strong starts by AL ERA-leader Steven Wright (nine innings, zero earned runs) and a surprisingly effective Clay Buchholz (five innings, three runs), the Red Sox left Fenway Park on Monday and Tuesday with 3-1 defeats to the Chicago White Sox in hand. These losses have been rather crucial as they have staggered the Red Sox from gaining ground on the Baltimore Orioles, who still maintain a one-game lead over Boston for first place in the AL East despite two straight shortcomings of their own. 

The brunt of the blame falls directly on this juggernaut of an offense that we witnessed enjoy a stunningly productive May. Over the last three games, the Red Sox have scored just four runs, far below their nightly average of 5.3.

In their last six games, the team is a horrendous 4-for-47 (.085) with runners in scoring position, 9-for-56 with runners in scoring position over their last eight. 

In those eight contests, each of them coming at Fenway Park, the Red Sox have plated just 23 total runs while compiling a 3-5 record including multiple losses to the Orioles and White Sox. 

Now, falling victim to Chicago left-hander Chris Sale, the first pitcher to 12 wins in 2016, as the Red Sox did on Tuesday night is justified. What is inexcusable is Boston putting up just four hits against the White Sox' Miguel Gonzalez (seven earned runs in 3.1 innings in his previous start against the Detroit Tigers) while going 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position on Monday. 

To compound the matter, Boston loaded the bases with none out in the ninth inning of a tied ballgame in the contest, unable to plate a single run to walk off with the victory. Pinch-hitters Dustin Pedroia and Ryan LaMarre struck out while catcher Christian Vazquez dribbled a grounder to shortstop, allowing White Sox reliever Zach Duke to emerge from the jam unscathed. 

Offensive slumps are inevitable with any team in baseball, and with the firepower the Red Sox have in Bogaerts, Ortiz, and outfielders Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr., the squad is bound to bounce back in due time. However, there are culprits to point out in the situation. 

Hanley Ramirez key catalyst in Boston's offensive issues

One of the players responsible for this recent dry run is first baseman Hanley Ramirez. The outspoken star has taken his four-year, $88 million deal and racked up a downright disappointing .377 slugging percentage and .710 OPS while hitting just one home run in his last 137 at-bats. 

It has not been easy being Hanley Ramirez as of late. | AP
It has not been easy being Hanley Ramirez as of late. | AP

Since last Wednesday, Ramirez is 4-for-24 with a double, leaving five baserunners stranded by himself in Tuesday night's loss while striking out on three occasions in a tumultuous 0-for-4 performance. 

The New York Yankees are the only team in the MLB that has compiled a worse OPS from their first basemen than the Red Sox, underlining the lack of production from Ramirez, who has become dead weight in the five-hole for Boston. 

If the Red Sox wish to emerge from this rough patch and fight for a division title come September, Ramirez will need to channel the surprising effectiveness that he has shown in the field to the plate as well. 

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About the author
Liam OBrien
Just a Boston man who loves sports. Oh, and writing is kind of a priority.