BSJ Game Report: Diamondbacks 4, Red Sox 2 - Tanner Houck hit hard, Merrill Kelly stifles Sox lineup

All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Diamondbacks' 4-2 win over the Red Sox, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

Tanner Houck hit hard: Houck was not efficient in the series finale, the D-backs shelled the right-hander for four runs, all of them were earned. He finished the game tossing four innings, six hits, no walks, four strikeouts and two homers. He threw 76 pitches, 47 for strikes and 17 swings and six whiffs. On a positive note, he retired the final nine consecutive batters he faced. 

TURNING POINT

The D-backs tagged Houck for three runs in the first inning. Rookie of the Year candidate Corbin Carroll hit a 392-foot two-run blast into the left field seats. Josh Rojas would add another run in the frame. Arizona was 6-for-9 the first time through the order to open the game. 

Merrill Kelly was in control all afternoon and kept the Red Sox lineup off balance. The right-hander tossed 6 1/3 innings, giving up four hits, one run, one earned run, two walks and 10 strike outs (six looking). He threw 108 pitches, 64 for strikes with 40 swings and 11 whiffs on Sunday afternoon. Kelly's sinker and changeup kept the Sox lineup guessing. He was able to entice 11 swings on each pitch and nine on his fastball. 

SOX SQUANDERED LATE THREAT

The Sox' first opportunity to close the gap in the game came in the seventh, Triston Casas singled and Kiké Hernández walked with one out. Boston knocked Kelly out of the game and was set to face left-hander Andrew Chafin. The southpaw was greeted by pinch-hitter Rob Refsnyder, who would walk to load the bases. Alex Verdugo delivered an RBI single in the frame but Chafin settled in and struck out Rafael Devers to escape the jam.  

UP

Justin Turner with a solo blast: Turner entered the game hitless in his last five games and 2-for-20 (.100) in his last six games. The veteran slugger collected two hits (2-for-5), including a solo home run in the eight inning to bring the Sox within two runs. Turner has now reached base at least once in 42 games, including multiple times in 26. 

Nick Pivetta strong in relief: Pivetta kept the D-backs offense at bay, tossing three scoreless innings in relief. The right-hander gave up two hits, no runs, no walks and struck out three batters. The 30-year-old who is pitching out of the bullpen after being jettisoned from the rotation has lowered his ERA down to 5.77. 

DOWN

Enmanuel Valdez struggles: Valdez continues to struggle at the plate, he's now hitless in his last 10 at-bats and has one hit in his last 16 tries. 

Jarren Duran slump: Duran was 0-for-4 in the game, he's 3-for-31 with 15 strikeouts on the west coast road trip, including four punch outs on Sunday. Despite the slump, his OPS remains strong, he owns a .817 OPS. 

THAT'S A WRAP

The Red Sox finished 4-5 on this west coast road trip, with the loss in the series finale, the Sox fall short of their third straight road trip with a .500 record or better. 

UP NEXT

The Sox will enjoy an off day on Memorial Day as they head home to begin a seven-game home stand this week. The Reds will come to Fenway Park beginning on Tuesday night for a three-game series and then the first place Tampa Bay Rays will be in Boston for the weekend.