BOSTON -- Alfredo Aceves entered the ninth inning with a 3-2 lead on Sunday at Fenway Park. He also entered with 11 saves on the season.
Sean Rodriguez prevented him from picking up his 12th, thanks to a two-run home run in the top of the ninth that prevented the Red Sox from climbing above .500 for the first time this season, and spoiled a solid seven-inning outing from Clay Buchholz and a heroic three-run home run from Adrian Gonzalez.
After Aceves walked the leadoff batter in Ben Zobrist, he got Luke Scott to pop out. But then Rodriguez ripped a 3-1 fastball over the monster seats that put Tampa Bay up 4-3.
Aceves refused to talk to the media afterwards.
"He just got behind on Zobrist and walked him, a pretty close pitch," said Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine after the loss. "And obviously he got behind on Rodriguez and threw him a fastball, and he hit it over the fence.
"His control's been pinpoint. Some pitches were just a little off, I guess."
Aceves picked up his second loss of the season, and snapped a streak of nine straight successful conversions. it marked his third blown save in 15 chances this season.
Boston Red Sox
"The guys been automatic for us," said Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia after the loss. "So I definitely didnt expect it, but I dont expect it to linger on anything else other than they just hit a good pitch out, just like we did the night before."