Martin Perez gave up three homers and spotted the Tampa Bay Rays a four-run head start as the Red Sox dropped the opener of a big series, 7-3. In the last two games, the Red Sox have allowed 20 runs.
Perez lasted just four innings and allowed six runs, as the Boston rotation continues to scuffle.
The loss allowed the Rays to get within a half-game in the American League East.
The Sox briefly showed some life in the fourth, scoring twice, but Perez gave them right back by allowing solo homers to Mike Zunino and Randy Arozarena.
WHO: Red Sox (63-41) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (61-42)
WHEN: 7:10 p.m.
WHERE: Tropicana Field
SEASON SERIES TO DATE:
STARTING PITCHERS: LHP Martin Perez (7-6, 4.18) vs. RHP Josh Fleming (7-5, 4.07)
TV/RADIO: NESN; WEEI-FM 93.7
LINEUPS
RED SOX
Hernandez 2B
Verdugo LF
Bogaerts SS
Martinez DH
Renfroe RF
Vazquez C
Dalbec 1B
Duran CF
Arauz 2B
RAYS
Arozarena RF
Cruz DH
Meadows LF
Diaz 3B
Franco SS
Lowe 2B
Margot CF
Zunino C
Choi 1B
IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS:
B7: Having not pitched at the big league level for the last 11 days, Hirokazu Sawamura is definitely out of his usual rhythm. He's walked two of the first four hitters he's faced.
B7: Red Sox get the benefit of poor baserunning decision by Austin Meadows, who tries to score from first on a double -- with no outs -- and gets tagged out at home.
T6: Red Sox leave two stranded. They've stranded at least one in every inning.
B5: Yacksel Rios allows a one-out triple to Wander Franco and then wild-pitches the run home. Another ugly night.
T5: Hunter Renfroe, who's cooled over the last few weeks, reaches down for a changeup and drives a shot to left-center, scoring Xander Bogaerts from first base. Red Sox keep battling back at the plate, trying to overcome a poor outing by Perez.
B4: Two homers in the span of three hitters and Perez is no match for the Tampa Bay lineup. First Mike Zunino to RF, and one batter later, Arozarena jacks one to left.
T4: Another example of overly aggressive baserunning on the part of Christian Vazquez, who singles to right to score the first Red Sox run, but tries to take second on the throw home and get thrown out.
B3: Martin Perez is being hit around. Two singles followed by a hard-hit liner to the gap in right center by Wander Franco, and the Rays have a quick 4-0 lead. They've been outscored 17-1 in the last 12 innings.
B2: Another strange error by Dalbec at first base, who simply doesn't hold onto a low throw from Bogaerts on what should have been a routine out. Instead, Margot is safe at first.
T2: Bobby Dalbec gives it a ride, but center fielder Manuel Margot runs it down just shy of the fence in right-center field.
B1: Yandy Diaz gets a cutter on the inner half from Martin Perez and hits it out to LF, with Austin Meadows aboard. Rays grab a 2-0 lead.
NOTES:
* In the wake of a very busy day, the Red Sox made a slew of roster moves before the game. They recalled Jonathan Arauz from Worcester and activated RHP Hirokazu Sawamura. Arauz takes the place of Michael Chavis on the major league roster. Chavis was traded to Pittsburgh Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, Sawamura takes the place of RHP Brandon Workman, who was designated for assignment after Thursday's game.
* The Red Sox also designated outfielder Marcus Wilson for assignment at Triple A, since they needed an addition 40-man spot to fit the three players they acquired in the last 24 hours: OF Kyle Schwarber, and pitchers Hansel Robles and Austin Davis.
* The Sox expect the three new players to join them Saturday, though Schwarber isn't ready to be activated. He may need another two weeks to recover from a severe hamstring strain.
* Rafael Devers, who experience some tightness in his quad in the Wednesday nightcap and was due to have an off-day Thursday anyway, remained out of the lineup for the second straight night as the Red Sox want to be cautious. Arauz took over at third base for the evening.