All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' loss to the Rays, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Sale takes a step back: Starter Chris Sale lasted just four innings and allowed six runs while being tagged with the loss. Within the outing, there were some encouraging signs. At one point, he retired eight of 10 hitters and he finished with six strikeouts, generating some swing-and-miss. But there were also stretches where he clearly couldn't locate his pitches where he wanted and unsurprisingly, paid dearly for those command issues. As noted previously, it's going to take some time for Sale to get a feel for all of his pitches. In the meantime, the Sox have to take the good with the bad. "I'm not going sit here and make excuses,'' he said. "I've just to be better with what I'm doing and when I'm doing it. It just seems during the game I have a handle on it and other times, the wheels are falling off.''
Offense snaps to life: It didn't result in a win, obviously, but at the very least, the Red Sox offense rebounded after being limited to two runs in their previous 18 innings. There were positive signs everywhere, from two hard-hit base hits from the previous slumping Justin Turner and two doubles from Kiké Hernandez, plus two hits from Alex Verdugo, back in the leadoff spot. But there were also some dead spots in the lineup, with the 4-5-6 spots in the order going a collective 0-for-12. It's scary to think where this offense would be without Rafael Devers, who already has five homers and is averaging an RBI per game. The seven runs came against a team that had allowed two runs in the previous 27 innings.
Kelly lost to injury: It was a tough scene in the fifth inning. Immediately after throwing a changeup that clipped Yandy Diaz, reliever Zack Kelly took off his glove, crouched to the ground and appeared to be in tears as he clutched his right elbow. Teammates consoled him as Alex Cora and a trainer attended to him, and Kelly was distraught as he walked off the field and headed immediately for the clubhouse. After the game, Cora provided no further details on Kelly's condition other than to say he felt pain in the elbow and would be examined after the team travels to Boston Thursday night. But Cora also revealed that the Sox would be making a roster move to supplant Kelly Thursday morning, further evidence that Kelly is dealing with a significant arm injury. He has already undergone Tommy John surgery on the elbow in his career.
TURNING POINT
In the fourth inning, the Red Sox hinted that they were climbing back into the game. Turner singled home Verdugo with one out. But with the fourth and fifth hitters due, Turner never advanced past first base, and in the bottom of the inning, the Rays more than answered back by tacking on three more runs off Sale, ending his night.
TWO UP
Reese McGuire: For the second straight night, McGuire provided some punch, delivering three hits in four plate appearances, giving him five hits over his last six at-bats.
Alex Verdugo: Verdugo seemed to inject some energy into the order while leading off again, reaching base in each of his first three trips with a walk, a double and a single.
TWO DOWN
Raimel Tapia: Yes, he earned an RBI by delivering a run on a groundout to third, but his at-bats were otherwise uninspiring as he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
Triston Casas: Batting cleanup for the first time this season, Casas was also 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, stranding two baserunners in the process.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"If we had a better starting pitcher, we would have had a better chance to win.'' Chris Sale
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* With seven walks and 18 hits allowed in 12 innings this season, Chris Sale is averaging more than two baserunners per inning.
* Kiké Hernandez snapped an 0-for-28 slump when he laced a double to right in the fifth inning.
* The Red Sox have now had nine of their first 12 games decided by three runs or fewer.
* Yu Chang is hitless for 2023.
NEXT
The two teams close out their four-game series Thursday afternoon at 1:10 p.m. with RHP Corey Kluber (0-2, 6.48) vs. LHP Jeffrey Spring (2-0, 0.00) the pitching matchup.