All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' loss to the Rays, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Defensive meltdown sinks Sox: The Red Sox committed four errors in the loss, but that only begins to tell half the story. Yes, those were huge, especially one play that resulted in four runs being scored. But the Sox were sloppy in so many instances, it's almost impossible to quantify them all. The error in the fourth -- on a "sun'' ball -- was at least partly understandable. But there were fundamental breakdowns along the way, highlighted by the inability for two other outfielders to back up Alex Verdugo, who couldn't make a catch on a ball hit by Austin Meadows in the ninth, resulting in a game-tying, inside-the-park homer. On that same play, there was a poor throw from newcomer Jose Iglesias, who fumbled the ball as he picked it up, before it was finally mishandled by cutoff man Bobby Dalbec in the middle of the infield. Throw in a botched foul popup on a bunt attempt and several balls that Rafael Devers was able to get a glove on but not corral and it was a generally sloppy display all around.
Strange outing for Sale: Chris Sale had his shortest outing of the five he's had since returning from Tommy John surgery. He allowed a run on four hits in the first inning, though two were of the infield variety and only was hard-hit. That was a preview of what was to come for Sale (and the Sox) the rest of the way. In the fourth inning, having been backed by seven runs in the first two innings -- the Sox have been adept at providing him with good run support since he came back last month -- he got the first two outs before the roof caved in. Again, some softly hit balls fell in, and a three-base error by Alex Verdugo, followed by yet two more infield hits led to the hook from Alex Cora. Sale threw 86 pitches, but couldn't get out of the fourth. His pitching line hardly reflected how he threw the ball -- of the five runs charged to him, only one was earned -- but there was the additional weirdness of 10 hits in just 3.2 innings, though many were not well struck.
Sox add Iglesias to roster, close to getting others back from COVID list: Less than an hour before gametime, the Red Sox announced that they had signed prodigal shortstop Jose Iglesias to provide additional infield depth down the stretch. Iglesias was signed as an international free agent out of Cuba and made his Red Sox debut in 2011 before being traded to Detroit as part of a three-team deal at the deadline in 2013. Iglesias began this year with the Los Angeles Angels, but was released recently and cleared waivers. Iglesias entered the game in the eighth inning, taking over at shortstop while Jonathan Arauz moved to second base. Iglesias can provide the Sox with an experienced middle infielder while they wait for the return of Xander Bogaerts. He will not be postseason eligible. The Sox are also expecting both Danny Santana and Kike Hernandez back from the COVID-IL in time to be ready for Tuesday night's game.
TURNING POINT
The Red Sox were cruising, leading 7-1 in the top of the fourth, with Chris Sale on the mound. Good spot, right? Not for long. After Sale retired the first two hitters of the inning, the Rays scratched together three hits to load the bases. Nelson Cruz then hit a relatively routine fly ball to right, which Alex Verdugo camped under, only to lose the ball in the sun at the last possible moment, as the ball clipped Verdugo's glove and bounded away. Eventually, the ball was thrown into relay man Taylor Motter, who had the slow-footed Cruz dead to rights heading to third. But Motter's throw was way high and wide of Rafael Devers at third, enabling Cruz to go all the way home. Initially, the ball was ruled a triple before being changed to a three-base error on Verdugo. By then, it didn't matter.
ONE UP
Does Not Apply
THREE DOWN:
Christian Vazquez: Vazquez is regarded as one of the team's better bunters, but you wouldn't know it when he popped up an attempt in the in the bottom of the ninth with the winning run on second.
Adam Ottavino: After going almost a calendar year without allowing a home run, the Red Sox reliever has given up two in his last two games. He was taken deep by Nelson Cruz in the eighth inning as the Rays pulled to within a run.
J.D. Martinez: After a first inning single, it wasn't a good day for the DH, who was 0-for-4 in his last four plate appearances, stranding five baserunners in the process.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"Days like this hurt. There's no getting around it. It's a gut punch.'' Chris Sale
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* The Sox' six-run second inning marked the seventh time this season they've scored six or more runs in an inning.
* Chris Sale has a 30-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio in five starts this season.
* Bobby Dalbec has reached base safely in 11 straight games.
* Hunter Renfroe has six hits in his last two games.
UP NEXT: The Red Sox and Rays continue their series Tuesday night at 7:10 p.m. with LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (11-7, 4.88) vs. RHP Drew Rasmussen (1-1, 3,.38).