Boston Red Sox’s Hirokazu Sawamura has 6 walks in 1.1 innings; Could he be adjusting to larger, more slippery ball, smaller strike zone? Updated Mar 15, 2021; Posted Mar 15, 2021 Red Sox's Hirokazu Sawamura works during the fifth against the Rays on Monday. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Facebook Share Boston Red Sox reliever Hirokazu Sawamura of Japan has allowed six walks in two Grapefruit League outings (1 ⅓ innings). The righty recorded just two outs against the Rays on Monday, allowing one run, one hit and three walks while striking out two. Boston lost 3-2 at Charlotte Sports Park. Sawamura averaged only 2.7 walks per nine innings (868 ⅓ innings) in Nippon Professional Baseball. So what’s causing his early issues with command?