Red Sox Notes: Alex Cora Believes Boston’s ‘Capable’ Of Playing Better

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox managed to score only four runs in the day-night doubleheader sweep at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday at Fenway Park.

In the two games combined, the Red Sox were 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base while registering 13 hits in 18 innings of baseball.

“We’re not playing good baseball right now,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said after Boston’s Game 2 loss. “It was a tough one. It was a tough weekend. We just got to play better, and we are capable of doing that.

“We established that brand of baseball throughout the season, and right now, it’s not happening — in every aspect of the game. We’re not pitching well. We’re not playing good defense. We’re not hitting. It gets magnified, too, where we’re at right now. We just got to show up tomorrow. Put in some good at-bats, pitch and play defense, and try to win a game.”

Brad Keller gave up five runs in the top of the fifth inning after Zack Kelly pitched three scoreless innings as the Red Sox starter and Justin Slaten pitched a scoreless fourth.

The defense behind Boston’s pitching made four errors, including two errors in the top of the ninth inning that allowed Toronto to score twice after Jarren Duran cut the deficit to 5-3 in the bottom of the eighth.

“Even though we had two innings off in that first game, it’s a long day of baseball. Tough day,” Duran said. “It’s baseball, and it happens. We’ll get back on the horse. … Personally, I know I’m putting a lot of pressure on myself. It feels like we’re putting a little pressure on ourselves. But I think we’re fine. I think we just got to get back on the horse and realize that we’re a good team and we can play with anybody. We’ve proven it all year. It’s just a matter of us believing in ourselves again.”

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Here are more notes from Monday’s Red Sox-Blue Jays doubleheader:

— The loss in Game 1 was the continuation of the June 26 contest that was suspended due to severe rain. Red Sox catcher Danny Jansen made history by being the first player to appear in the box score for both teams in one game.

— With Game 1 reverting back to June schedule-wise, the second game gave the Red Sox their fourth loss in consecutive games, fifth overall, and six of their last eight. They are 9-12 in their last 21 games.

— Durran went 3-for-4 from the plate with two doubles and his 19th home run of the season. He has recorded multiple extra-base hits in 15 games this season and is batting .359 over his last 10 games.

— Kelly made his third career start this season, tossing 7 2/3 scoreless innings with one hit, four walks and 10 strikeouts.

— The Red Sox and Blue Jays continue their four-game series on Tuesday night. First pitch from Fenway Park is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET, and you can watch the game, plus an hour of pregame coverage on NESN.