The bullpen wasn't to blame this time. For that, you can turn to the lineup and starting pitching.
Eduardo Rodriguez was rocked for five runs in just 3.1 innings, while the Sox were again unable to capitalize on their chances, leading to a second-straight setback to the Houston Astros, 5-3.
Boston had a chance in the ninth, with J.D. Martinez representing the potential go-ahead run with runners at the corners. But Roberto Osuna got Martinez to hit into a game-ending double-play.
The Astros got two in the second off Rodriguez, then added solo homer in the third (Alex Bregman) and fourth (Martin Maldonado).
Meanwhile, the Sox were just 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position and for the series are 4-for-22.
IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS:
6:56 Unlike Friday night, the bullpen has been very effective today -- albeit in "behind'' situation. Brandon Workman, Bobby Poyner and Tyler Thornburg have combined to toss 4.2 shutout innings and kept things close.
6:37 Seems like the offense has been limited to Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts today. Together, they've combined for five hits (the Sox have a total of seven) and six times on base, while each has scored a run -- the only two the Sox have.
5:54 Spectacular running catch by center fielder Jake Marisnick, who races to track down a ball in front of The Wall and takes extea bases away from Andrew Benintendi with the bases loaded. The Sox have ended three of the first four innings by leaving runners in scoring position and have stranded seven altogether.
5:31 A very different result -- obviously -- for Rodriguez today. And ominous, because this is the kind of lineup that Rodriguez is going to have to deal with in October.
5:25 Can't necessarily fault Rodriguez there -- Martin Maldonado takes him deep on a slider that was low and away. But the Astros catcher reached out and swatted a pitch into the Monster Seats. Second homer allowed by Rodriguez and fourth extra-base hit.
5:20 The Sox had difficulty with runners in scoring position Friday night (going 1-for-11) and today isn't much better. Through three innings, they're just 2-for-8, and have left runners in scoring position in both the first and third innings.
4:51 Eduardo Rodriguez is finding out, early on, that facing the Astros isn't nearly the same as facing the Chicago White Sox. While Rodriguez was able to get the youngish Chicago lineup to chase some pitches out of the strike zone, the Astros are jumping on pitches and making hard contact. He's already yielded more hits (five) in less than three innings than he did in 5.2 innings last weekend and there's been some loud, hard contact, too.
WHO: Red Sox vs. Houston Astros
WHEN: 4:05 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park
WHAT'S UP: The Red Sox saw their three-game winning streak snapped Friday night in the series opener with the Astros storming back for six runs in the final three innings. That win gives the Astros a 3-2 edge in the season series between the two division leaders with two more games remaining. Even with the loss, the Sox have won seven of their last 10 games and their magic number to clinch a playoff spot in three. The Sox need to win tonight and tomorrow to avoid losing just their second series in the last 19 -- they're 12-1-15 since the start of July...Eduardo Rodriguez makes his second start since coming back from a July ankle injury. He was brilliant against the White Sox last week, allowing one run on three hits over 5.1 innings while posting 12 strikeouts. He did not face the Astros in Houston at the end of May, so this will mark his first start against them this season...Xander Bogaerts set a career high in RBI Friday night when he knocked in his 90th run of the season. His next homer will match his career-high of 21. He's already set career highs for both doubles and extra-base hits. His current slugging percentage and OPS would also represents career bests...Mookie Betts needs one homer and three steals to become just the second person in Red Sox history to go 30-30. Jacoby Ellsbury was the first...Rafael Devers gets his first start today since coming off the DL. Over his career, six of his career eight hits off the Astros have gone for extra bases...Mitch Moreland is in the midst of a 1-for-13 stretch and his batting average is down a season-low .247...The Astros have won six in a row and 13 of their last 16, and, dating back to last season, have won four of their last five at Fenway. Houston's 3.5 game lead in the A.L. West it its biggest since Aug. 11...With the 4:05 p.m. start this afternoon, it's worth noting that the Astros and Red Sox have the two best daytime records in the big leagues: Boston is 32-8 (.800) while the Astros are 30-15 (.667)...Charlie Morton is making his first start in 11 days. He went just 4.2 innings and allowed three runs on three hits against Oakland in his last outing...Morton absorbed his first loss of the season when he was hit around by the Astros for six runs on nine hits on June 3. In his career, he's 2-1 with a 4.60 ERA in three starts.
STARTING PITCHERS: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (12-3, 3.34) vs. RHP Charlie Morton (13-3, 3.14)
TV/RADIO: NESN/FX1; WEEI 93.7 FM
LINEUPS
RED SOX
Betts RF
Benintendi LF
Martinez DH
Bogaerts SS
Moreland 1B
Kinsler 2B
Devers 3B
Vazquez C
Bradley CF
ASTROS
Springer RF
Altuve 2B
Bregman 3B
Gurriel 1B
Correa SS
White DH
Marisnick CF
Maldonado C
Kemp LF
NEWS AND NOTES:
- Reliever Matt Barnes won't throw on flat ground as he continues to get treatment for some inflammation in his left hip. Alex Cora said Barnes has yet to receive a cortisone shot.
- INF Brandon Phillips was working out at first base prior to today's game and could get a start at the position Sunday night.
- C Christian Vazquez was given the start, in part because of how well he paired with LHP Eduardo Rodriguez last weekend in Chicago.