All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' loss to the Rays, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Pivettta has a rough one: Starter Nick Pivetta had been the team's best starter since May, going 8-1 with 1.95 ERA over his previous 11 outings, but he in no way resembled that pitcher Tuesday night. After being struck for three runs in top of the first, it appeared Pivetta had righted himself, facing one batter over the minimum over the next four innings. Then, in the sixth, it fell apart for him again, as the Rays erupted for three more off him to pull away. The issue appeared to be fastball location, with Pivetta leaving too many balls over the middle of the plate. There was a lot of hard contact, which hadn't been the case for a long time. He was due for one of these, but the timing -- at the start of a division-heavy stretch -- was far from optimal.
Bogaerts starts to stir at the plate: It had been a long time -- 25 games and 93 at-bats since Xander Bogaerts last homered before he did so in the first inning. Bogaerts, who is also dealing with a gash in his right thigh after getting spiked in Chicago over the weekend, said he's felt uncomfortable at the plate for a couple of weeks, which has frustrated him to no end. After watching a lot of video of late, he made some small adjustments to his set-up and stance, and liked the result in the first inning. Part of the Red Sox' problem in the last week or so has been the diminished production from the Big Three. J.D. Martinez is has been part of that downturn, too, but he also turned things around with a three-hit night. It wasn't enough for the Sox to get themselves a win, but offensively, it could represent a step forward.
Robles designated for assignment: The Red Sox were in need of a roster spot to make room for the activation of rookie starter Brayan Bello for Wednesday, and made a move post-game, with a source telling BostonSportsJournal.com that the team had designated veteran reliever Hansel Robles for assignment. Robles was used in the game and didn't pitch well -- allowing a run on two walks and a hit. Robles had a 5.70 ERA in 25 appearances this season and had also blown five save opportunities. The Red Sox kept showing faith that he'd figure some things out, but the combination of his walk total and inability to stay out of the middle of the plate on a consistent basis ultimately doomed him.
TURNING POINT
In the bottom of the fifth inning of a tie game, the Red Sox put the first two hitters -- Rob Refsnyder and J.D. Martinez -- on base and had runners at second and third with no out. But the Sox failed to cash in, with the next three hitters going down in order, leaving the runners stranded. Then, to compound things, the Rays erupted for four runs in the top of the next inning, chasing Pivetta and putting the game away for themselves.
TWO UP
J.D. Martinez: Martinez had been batting just .150 over his previous 15 games, but broke out with three hits, including two doubles as he rediscovered his stroke.
Jarren Duran: Duran continues to make his mark as the team's fill-in leadoff hitter. He reached base three times with a walk, a single and a double, while also stealing a base.
TWO DOWN
* Christian Vazquez: Vazquez was without a hit in four at-bats, and also dropped two throws to the plate when plays could have potentially been made.
* Bobby Dalbec: Dalbec had a fourth-inning single, but his other three plate appearances ended in strikeouts, which continue to pile up.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"It sucks man. Not getting the run in, it hurts like you can't even imagine.'' Xander Bogaerts on the team's inability to take advantage of two on and none out in the fifth.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* The Red Sox saw their season-high five-game home winning streak come to an end.
* Nine of Trevor Story's 14 homers this year have either tied the score or given the Red Sox the lead.
* J.D. Martinez is now tied for the team lead in doubles with Rafael Devers.
* Jarren Duran is 5-for-6 in stolen base attempts this season.
* The three RBI for Bogaerts tied a season-high for him.
UP NEXT: The Red Sox and Rays will finish up their series Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. with RHP Brayan Bello (0-0) making his major league debut against RHP Corey Kluber (3-5, 3.91)