Sox bullpen can’t finish off Royals

Needing a strikeout to preserve a 3-2 lead, manager Terry Francona turned to fireballer Bard, figuring his triple-digit heat is hard to catch up to after watching a knuckleball all evening.

Bard, who has pitched in each of the first four games, walked the first batter, Alberto Callaspo. He struck out Billy Butler, but pinch runner Willie Bloomquist stole second. With two down and men on second and third, Rick Ankiel — who had homered off Wakefield — sent a broken-bat single over shortstop Marco Scutaro, giving the Royals a 4-3 lead. That left the Sox to face Royals closer Joakim Soria, who wouldn’t budge in the ninth.

“Thought I made a decent pitch 2-0, trying to go in with a fastball. It was in,’’ Bard said. “Broke his bat, but it carried over the infielder’s head. That’s baseball.

“They earned the win. They fought and they battled and they scrapped together a couple runs when they needed it. Tip my hat to them in that respect. But obviously wish, when you make a decent pitch, you hope you get a better result. Doesn’t always happen.’’

Three straight losses for the Sox. Three straight losses for the bullpen, the relievers going 13 1/3 innings in the first four games and allowing eight earned runs. To make matters worse, the Sox face reigning American League Cy Young winner Zack Greinke tonight.

“It’s tough,’’ Bard said. “Our starters — Wake did a heck of a job, [John] Lackey did a heck of a job, and we haven’t gotten them wins. I carry a lot of that on my shoulders the last two. Keep trucking. I’m not going to let it affect me too much. I feel like I’m still making pitches. Not going to look at it as any more than that.’’

Of course, the bullpen isn’t the only issue. There’s also an offense that couldn’t extend the lead, despite multiple chances against the Royals’ relievers.

“We didn’t spread it out,’’ Francona said. “We let them hang around, and paid the price for it.’’