41 John Lackey, SP

Red Sox starter John Lackey made his 300th major-league appearance on Tuesday night in Tampa Bay, but he couldn't earn his 130th career victory.

Lackey had a 3-0 lead after the first inning when David Ortiz hit a three-run blast. Lackey cruised until the fourth inning when he allowed Tampa to score five runs. He suffered the defeat to fall to 1-4 with a 4.05 ERA.

Lackey allowed five earned runs on nine hits and a walk and lasted only 4 1/3 innings. Lackey, who struck out three, has dropped three consecutive decisions for Boston. Still, Tuesday's was his first outing allowing more than three earned runs, so he should be able to bounce back.

The 34-year-old is next scheduled to start Sunday at Minnesota.

Red Sox pitcher John Lackey struck out eight but blew a two-run lead as he suffered his third loss of the season Thursday night against the Twins.

Lackey (1-3), who made his fourth start of the season, gave up a run-scoring double to Aaron Hicks in the fifth and four runs in the sixth, including a two-run home run to Oswaldo Arcia. The right-hander was charged with five runs -- one earned -- and six hits over seven innings in a 5-3 defeat. He walked one on 102 pitches, 74 for strikes.

Lackey has struck out eight in two of his first four starts. He has also served up a home run in three of his first four starts. The 34-year-old veteran will start Tuesday at Tampa Bay. He went 1-2 with a 6.46 ERA in three starts against the Rays in 2011.

Red Sox pitcher John Lackey took his second loss Saturday night against the Rangers. He allowed three runs on six hits over five innings in the 5-1 defeat.

The right-hander surrendered a home run on his first pitch of the game to Ian Kinsler, then allowed two runs in the fourth. He threw 61 of his 98 pitches for strikes and saw his ERA rise from 2.61 to 3.52. Lackey (1-2) struck out four and walked three.

His next start is scheduled for Thursday against the Twins.