Moncada benched after 7 straight strikeouts

San Diego hasn't been kind to Yoan Moncada.

After a promising first series in Oakland, the Boston Red Sox rookie third baseman has had major issues against the Padres' pitching staff. He's gone 0-for-7 with seven strikeouts through the first two games of the series, and manager John Farrell has opted to sit the youngster for the finale on Wednesday.

"He's getting pitched to," Farrell told reporters following Boston's 5-1 win Tuesday. "He's seeing some things here for the first time. 3-2 breaking balls for strikes, backdoor breaking balls from left-handers that I'm sure in Portland and in the Eastern League, he's not going to see all that often. Not uncommon that some of these firsts are going to be challenges for him. These are growing opportunities for him."

Moncada's introduction into the majors has already come with some ups and downs. In addition to the strikeouts, the 21-year-old also booted a routine ground ball at third base in Oakland, and was picked off at first following a single. He did, however, go 4-for-10 with an RBI double and three runs scored in his opening series with the Red Sox.

During his four-strikeout performance on Tuesday, veteran David Ortiz pulled Moncada aside to offer some words of encouragement.

"He just told me that first of all, that happened to him when he first broke into the leagues, he struck out four times in one game," Moncada said. "And that the game's not easy, it's a process and to just stay focused on getting better and playing my game."

Despite being considered the top prospect in all of baseball, according to both MLB.com and Baseball America, Moncada's strikeout issues are nothing new, and were a theme during his time at the minor-league level as well. In 45 games with Double-A Portland, he struck out 64 times, but also managed to hit .277/.379/.531, with 11 homers and nine stolen bases.

"These won't be my first strikeouts and they won't be my last," Moncada said through an interpreter. "Just got to keep moving forward and know that the players that strike out are players that are actually playing in the game. Just take each game individually and I'll move forward from there."