Red Sox manager Farrell: 'I don't think the clubhouse is one that has run amok'

It's been a trying week for Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell.

Between Pablo Sandoval's mid-game Instagram use and a heated dugout exchange with pitcher Wade Miley, Farrell has endured a season's worth of drama across seven days.

While dark clouds continue to form over Fenway Park, Farrell continues to attest that his clubhouse is not in disarray.

"For one, I don't think the clubhouse is one that has run amok,'' Farrell told reporters. "This is an incident (Sandoval) I believe is isolated, and my focus is to continue to get better on field.''

Sandoval apologized to Farrell and general manager Ben Cherington for violating the team rules and said he accepted his one-game suspension as punishment.

"John addressed that, (and) I don't have anything to add,'' Cherington said, making no effort to hide his irritation at being asked. "Something happened yesterday. Pablo's being punished by not playing tonight. Other than that, that's something John handles inside the clubhouse.''

Both Cherington and Farrell received an endorsement from owner John Henry earlier in the month, but the team has proceeded to go 7-10 and two embarrassing events in the span of a week isn't likely to sit well.

There is precedent with the Red Sox front office axing a manager for a perceived loss of control in the clubhouse. World Series-winning skipper Terry Francona was let go following an embarrassing 2011 campaign that involved a epic September collapse and rumors of chicken and beer being consumed by players during ballgames.

Farrell understands the nature of the business and that some have questioned his job security.

"I respect the question,'' Farrell said. "I understand the environment in which we work. I understand there's a lot of passion and currently a lot of frustration by many, and that includes our fans, and I understand that.

"When situations arise, they're addressed head-on, but the same approach is applied every day: What are we doing daily to work at getting better? That's what I expect, and I think that's what we demand from our players.''