All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 8-2 loss to the Rays, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Bullpen implodes: The Red Sox trailed just 2-1 after six innings, but that changed in a hurry in the seventh inning. Austin Brice, who had been very reliable in the last two weeks, was hammered for five runs in just two-thirds of an inning. After getting the final out in the sixth and the first out in the seventh, Brice allowed the next five Tampa Bay hitters to reach and all of them eventually scored. Robert Stock, making his Red Sox debut, walked three of the nine hitters he faced and gave up a run on two hits in just and inning and a third. In the last two nights, the Red Sox bullpen, which had allowed just three runs in the previous 18 innings, has allowed 12 earned runs in 11.1 innings, costing the Sox two games. It's a given that the rotation is unreliable, but on nights when the Sox got quality starts the way they did with Martin Perez Tuesday night, the relievers have to do a better job of keeping the team in the game.
Perez deserved better fate: For the third straight time, Martin Perez turned in a very solid effort for the Sox, but it wasn't nearly enough, thanks to what took place after he left. Perez gave up a solo homer to the first hitter of the game, Mike Brosseau, then gave up just two more hits and one more run the rest of the way. Relying on mostly his cutter and changeup to keep the Rays off-balance, Perez worked quickly and was efficient. Before he issued his second walk of the night, to the final hitter he faced, he had retired the previous 10 hitters in a row. "One of the goals I have,'' he said, "is every time I go out there is to give everything that I have for my team. That's my goal -- go out there, do my job, get quick outs and give a chance to the hitters to stay in rhythm.'' Perez and Nathan Eovaldi have done that consistently. But they can'd do it alone.
Hart to make major league debut Thursday: In need of a starter to plug in for the homestand finale, the Red Sox will turn to lefty Kyle Hart, who has been pitching at the alternate training site in Pawtucket. "He's been throwing the ball really well,'' said Ron Roenicke, "and hopefully we get a good start out of him.'' Last year, splitting time between Double A Portland and Triple A Pawtucket, Hart was 12-13 with a 3.54 ERA. Hart is 27 and has spent the last five years climbing the ladder in the Red Sox system. He doesn't overpower hitters, but relies on precise command and the ability to change speeds to be successful. He'll become the ninth pitcher to start a game for the Red Sox in what will be their 19th game of the season. Even though that's somewhat misleading because of some openers, that speaks volumes about the instability of the staff.
TURNING POINT
For the second straight night, a potential mid-game rally was thwarted by a double play, and both times, it was Xander Bogaerts who was the guilty party. Trailing by a one in the sixth, J.D. Martinez worked a leadoff walk. But Bogaerts erased him by hitting into a 6-4-3 double play.
TWO UP
Andrew Benintendi: With a single in the first and another in the third, Benintnedi matched his hit total for the previous 16 games.
Jonathan Arauz: It was another strong night for the rookie, who contributed two more hits -- giving him five in the last two games -- and another stellar defensive play at third, with a very good backhanded stop that he turned into an out.
TWO DOWN
Xander Bogaerts: The team's hottest hitter through the weekend, Bogaerts has falled into a funk the last two nights. On Tuesday, he was 0-for-4 and hit into another big momentum-killing double play.
Robert Stock: Making his Red Sox debut, the hard-throwing reliever had difficulty finding the plate, issuing three walks to the nine hitters he faced.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"We know that if we play this way, we're not going to win many games.'' Ron Roenicke.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Former Red Sox outfield prospect Manuel Margot has six hits in the first two games of the series.
- Michael Chavis has at least one hit and one RBI in each of his last three games.
- Alex Verdugo has five RBI in his last six games.
- Martin Perez allowed five runs in his debut, but has allowed just four earned runs in his last three starts.