Red Sox owner John Henry 'very disappointed'

BOSTON (AP) Red Sox owner John Henry says watching Boston play this year is ''painful.''

Speaking before Tuesday's game against Minnesota, Henry said he ''felt responsible'' for how poorly his club has played.

Boston entered last in the AL East at 22-29. After finishing last in 2014, the Red Sox committed $183 million to sign free agents Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez during the offseason.

The Red Sox returned home after a 1-6 trip and have lost nine of their last 12.

''How painful has it been to watch these games?'' Henry said. ''I watch these games. I know how painful they are. We talk about television - it's terrible television. It's even worse to be responsible for this, and I feel responsible. I understand.''

The 65-year old owner hadn't spoken to assembled reporters since the first week of spring training.

The Red Sox began the night with a .241 team average, fourth-worst in the AL, and were tied with the third-fewest runs.

''You look at the work that goes into it, and I have looked at it,'' Henry said. ''Did this whole team become a collection of poor hitters? I don't think so. I think the production has been poor, and there are adjustments that need to be made.''

Henry didn't hide his disappointment, even acknowledging how fans could be turned off.

He did praise general manager Ben Cherington saying he'll in place for a ''long time.''

Henry didn't think the club needed to make changes, saying the Red Sox needed to be ''patient.'' But he also didn't hide his frustration.

''Very disappointed. It's been an unacceptable 51 games,'' he said. ''We haven't played great. We haven't played smart, and haven't played the way we're capable of playing.''

He did offer what he thought would be a recipe for a turnaround.

''All we have to do is put our offense together and the rest will follow,'' Henry said.