Sonny Gray did not hide his feelings about being left off the All-Star roster. Then he went out and pitched anyway.
The Boston Red Sox right-hander admitted Saturday that he was "bummed" about the snub before taking the mound and earning his 10th win of the season in an 8-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. The performance was reported by ESPN.
Gray's milestone win is notable. Reaching double digits in wins before the All-Star break is a marker used, fairly or not, as a rough measure of a pitcher's season. Getting there while also being passed over for the midsummer classic gives the number an added edge.
The Angels offered little resistance, with Boston's offense supporting Gray with eight runs. The final margin of seven runs left little doubt about the outcome.
Gray has been one of the steadier arms in the American League this season. His reaction to the All-Star decision was candid rather than combative, a single word that landed cleanly: bummed. He did not elaborate beyond that, at least not in what was reported, but the word said enough.
The Red Sox, backed by Gray's consistency, continue to push through the second half of their schedule. His next start will come after the All-Star break, giving him time to reflect on a season that, by the numbers, has made a case most voters apparently did not accept.
