Red Sox Notes: Why Boston Remains Capable Despite Crushing Loss

The Boston Red Sox are playing what feel like do-or-die games for the rest of the season in the height of a playoff race.

That's what makes losses like Monday night at the hands of the Houston Astros rather demoralizing.

Boston led by multiple runs twice before the Astros came back and eventually won on a walk-off homer from Yainer Diaz. Bullpen problems continue to plague the Red Sox, though Alex Cora called out a returning: consistent starts from the rotation.

Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford have each turned a corner in recent weeks and Boston's All-Star right-hander Tanner Houck stepped up again on Monday to give his team a competitive shot at a victory.

Houck gave Boston six innings of work with just two earned runs allowed before Red Sox relievers did not slam the door. While the loss can be frustrating, especially given the state of the standings, Cora believes this trend can carry Boston back on track.

"Not really, to be honest with you," Cora told reporters, as seen on NESN's postgame coverage. "I think we're getting healthy. They're a good team. ... I thought we threw the ball well. You're gonna go through stretches like this where you win some and lose some. I do believe with the way we've thrown the ball from the first to the sixth inning, we're gonna be OK. I think that's the most important thing."

Cora continued: "We struggled there for a little bit and the bullpen paid the price. Now, we're throwing the ball extremely well from our starters. They're giving us a chance to win. That's what happened early in the season. I think we're going to continue doing that."

Here are more notes from Monday's Red Sox-Astros game:

-- Duran smacked his second leadoff home run of the season. The other came against the Chicago White Sox on June 6.

-- Yoshida hit his first career pinch-hit home run in just his 14th MLB opportunity for the Red Sox. Yoshida also has the most hits in baseball over the last two weeks, per Statmuse.

-- Houck delivered the third straight start of six innings with two or less earned runs allowed.

-- Boston's loss along with Kansas City's 5-3 win over the Angels on Monday moves the Red Sox 4 1/2 games out of the final American League playoff spot.

-- Lucas Sims has six earned runs allowed since joining the Red Sox. All of those have come against Houston, as referenced by NESN's Tom Caron.

-- Boston falls to 0-4 against Houston in 2024.

-- Boston closer Kenley Jansen suffered just his second loss of the season, though his focus remains on bouncing back for the Red Sox.

"That's a tough game, right?" Jansen told reporters, as seen on NESN's postgame coverage. "That's a game where you either win or you lose. I make three really good pitches on (Yordan) Alvarez. Unfortunately, that one wasn't well executed. Give credit to the hitter. ... It's tough. Tip your cap. We gotta move on from this one and fight tomorrow."

-- The Red Sox and Astros continue their series at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday night. First pitch is set for 8:10 p.m. ET. You can catch the game, plus an hour of pregame coverage, on NESN.