Akin (0-7) allowed three runs on six hits and three walks with two strikeouts in four innings, taking the loss versus Boston on Sunday.
The southpaw allowed nine baserunners, but he only had to pay for all that traffic when J.D. Martinez hit a three-run home run in the first inning. Akin continues to struggle whether starting or coming out of the bullpen -- he has an 8.13 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 54:24 K:BB in 58.2 innings. He could continue to hold a rotation spot, as Bruce Zimmermann suffered a sprained ankle in his rehab from a biceps injury. Akin tentatively lines up for a difficult home start versus Atlanta next weekend.