Buchholz latest to have misstep in 8th inning

BOSTON — The eighth inning has caused distress for the Red Sox’s bullpen too often since the All-Star break and on Tuesday night, Clay Buchholz emerged as a new candidate to help stabilize the setup crew.

Instead, he was the latest to make a mistake that led to a loss.

The right-hander misplaced a fastball that Evan Longoria crushed, ripping a solo shot to left-center that snapped a tie and ultimately handed the Red Sox a 4-3 defeat to the last-place Rays.

The Red Sox could have moved within a game of the Blue Jays for first place in the American League East, but they stayed two back with the tough loss.

“It was a fastball, trying to throw it up and away and I pulled it more inner third, and that’s his spot where he hits the ball a long way,” said Buchholz. “He didn’t miss it. I was going to go with the changeup after that, but obviously didn’t get to it. I guess, it’s hindsight now, but I’d probably throw another changeup in that position.”

A starter for his entire career until this season, Buchholz got on a nice role as a middle man and performed well in a three-start cameo back in the rotation when there were some injuries a couple of weeks ago.

One mishap won’t change manager John Farrell’s thinking that Buchholz can handle higher-leverage …

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