Monday, August 17 | Follow Globe Sports

BATTING LEADOFF

Famed 19th-century biographer and Massachusetts resident James Parton once characterized Industrial Age Pittsburgh’s appearance as “hell with the lid taken off.” The Red Sox’ weekend trip to PNC Park — one of baseball’s most beautiful venues, set against a now-picturesque city — certainly wasn’t that unsavory, but nonetheless left the team ruing its experience.

The Sox dropped Sunday’s series finale to the Pirates, 8-3. The Sox have lost seven of nine games and three straight series to sub-.500 clubs, continuing a year in which the Sox’ performance has defied expectations based on the record of opponents.

Since June 25, the Sox are 20-0 against teams now in possession of playoff spots. The recent slump has come against three teams that entered Sunday in last place. The Sox have proven capable of beating and losing to anyone.

TO THE LINKS

OFF THE SLATE: A thinning bullpen became even more depleted Sunday when the Red Sox placed righthander Justin Slaten on the injured list due to what the team described as right elbow inflammation. Alex Speier has the story.

HISTORY REPEATING?: The Red Sox acquired All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman from the Orioles on Aug. 3. Peter Abraham examines how the move is reminiscent of the organization's run to the 1967 pennant.

STAYING PUT: Dave O’Brien, who spent 2007-15 alongside Joe Castiglione on WEEI’s broadcasts before moving to NESN in ’16, recently signed a two-year agreement that will keep him on the television broadcasts through the 2028 season. Chad Finn has more on the news.

COMEBACK TRAIL: Shortstop Trevor Story kicked off his rehab assignment by going 1 for 2 and playing four innings at shortstop for Triple-A Worcester. Outfielder Roman Anthony will return to game action on Tuesday with Double-A Portland, and infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, out since June 19 with a stress reaction in his left ulna bone, will return to the field for the WooSox on Wednesday. Alex Speier has more.

GRAY A BRIGHT SPOT: Sonny Gray continued to defy his anticipated career arc Saturday, crafting seven shutout innings to lead the Sox to a 4-0 victory over the Pirates.

SMASHING DEBUT: Joshua Báez, a 2021 graduate of Dexter Southfield School in Brookline, became the first player to hit a home run in each of his first three at-bats in the majors, leading the Cardinals to an 8-4 victory over the Cubs on Saturday.

ABOUT TONIGHT: Alec Gamboa will get the start Monday night when the Red Sox return to Fenway Park to face the Diamondbacks. Here is a preview.

RIP BUTCH HUSKEY: Butch Huskey, who played seven major league seasons, including a 45-game stint with the Red Sox in 1999, has died. He was 54.

See more of our Red Sox coverage here.

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