Breaking down peaks, valleys in Boston's roller-coaster defeat

DETROIT -- For the Red Sox, what felt like an uphill climb for hours seemed like it was going to lead to one of the most rewarding wins of the season.

That was the feeling that permeated through the dugout when nerveless rookie Kristian Campbell snapped an 0-for-14 drought and a 3-for-38 slump by belting a two-run homer with two outs in the top of the 11th, putting the Red Sox back up in a game that twisted and turned all night.

Instead of that gratifying victory, the Sox endured perhaps their most frustrating defeat, losing a wild 10-9 contest on a walk-off three-run homer by Javy Báez. For the resurgent Tigers shortstop-turned-center fielder, it was his second three-run jack of the night off of a Boston reliever.

There was a lot to unpack after such a roller-coaster evening. Here are three takeaways.

Bullpen struggles continue

While there have been several factors that have led to Boston’s underwhelming 22-22 start, the recent inconsistency of the bullpen is perhaps the biggest. The club's 11 blown saves lead the Majors.

Garrett Whitlock, one of the team’s best relievers in April (3.95 ERA in nine outings), has been scored on in four of his last five appearances, notching a 10.80 ERA in his past 6 2/3 innings. On Tuesday, he came on in the sixth just after the Red Sox had taken their first lead of the night.

The frame started with a walk to Spencer Torkelson, then Whitlock hit Jace Jung with two outs. Up stepped Báez, who came up with his first of two homers, this one a three-run missile on a 1-0 slider that put the Tigers back in front at 6-4. Though the slider is generally one of Whitlock’s best pitches, the offering was too predictable to a veteran hitter on a night the righty admittedly had no fastball command.

“I didn't throw my fastball for strikes, so I’m pretty pissed at myself for that and put two guys on because of it,” Whitlock said. “And Javy being smart, he was probably sitting for a slider because I couldn't throw a fastball for a strike, and he didn't miss it. And so that was terrible by me. I’ve got to be better than that.”

After Boston climbed back in front with a 7-6 lead in the 10th, Greg Weissert was one out away from putting his team in the winner’s circle. Instead, he left a changeup on the lower, inner half of the strike zone and Trey Sweeney punched it into right for an RBI single that forced a second extra frame.

Weissert had a chance for redemption in the 11th following Campell’s go-ahead shot. Yet just three pitches into that fateful final inning, Báez smashed a no-doubter to left. Ballgame.

“Just get something off the plate,” said Weissert. “He chases a lot, but that's the risk you run with that pitch. He hammers in-zone spin. So it’s just unacceptable.”

Campbell’s 'superpower'

Campbell’s solid April (.848 OPS) after making the team in Spring Training was one of the best early-season stories for the Red Sox. Despite his recent woes, manager Alex Cora continues to hit him in the cleanup spot. And that paid off in a big way when Campbell was ready for Beau Briske’s first-pitch heater (97.3 mph) and mauled it over the wall in right.

“It was huge,” said Cora. “Tie game, two outs, that’s what he can do. I think he’s gotten away from it, from driving the ball to right-center. We talked about it. That's his superpower. He can do that. That was a tremendous swing.”

Campbell credited Jarren Duran for keeping his spirits afloat.

“I was having another tough game and J.D. talked to me,” said Campbell. “He did a really good job talking to me and explaining what's going on, what he's gone through before. And I really appreciate him. That kept me locked in for that last at-bat.”

Bottom’s up

The defeat spoiled a tremendous performance by the No. 6-9 spots in the batting order.

The quartet of Nick Sogard, Carlos Narváez, David Hamilton and Ceddanne Rafaela combined to go 8-for-18 with six runs and five RBIs.

The biggest hit from the group was Hamilton’s two-run equalizer with two outs in the eighth that he bashed a Statcast-projected 408 feet to right. Hamilton was playing so veteran shortstop Trevor Story could get a rest. As he connected, Hamilton instantly broke into a big smile.

“At the time, it felt good,” said Hamilton. “It felt good in the moment, but it kind of sucks right now.”