BOSTON -- A key error coupled with another lackluster offensive performance put the Red Sox behind the eight ball on Sunday as they fell to division rival Tampa Bay, 4-1, at Fenway Park.
The visitors staked themselves a quick 1-0 lead off the bat of Junior Caminero, who took a low curveball from Boston starter Payton Tolle and deposited it a Statcast-projected 404 feet away over the Green Monster in left-center field.
In the third inning, Tolle allowed a leadoff single to Nick Fortes, who advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt.
With one out, Chandler Simpson hit a hard grounder to short, but Trevor Story, ranging to his right, saw the ball bounce off his glove and into left field, allowing Fortes to score. Tampa Bay would pound out four singles in the frame and score twice.
Tolle came into his start having allowed seven hits total in his three prior efforts. That number doubled as the left-hander allowed seven hits in five innings of work while striking out four.
His offense provided just one run of support behind eight hits, four of which were singles. Boston’s 156 runs are fourth fewest in the Majors this season.
The first-place Rays (26-13) pushed Boston (17-23) back 9 1/2 games in the standings after taking two of three games in the series.
Monday will be an off-day for the Sox, then they will host Philadelphia for three games beginning Tuesday.