Daniel Bard's 26 1/3-inning scoreless streak came to an end on Monday, as he served up a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning. Bard retired only one batter while surrendering three earned runs on two hits and a walk. In the process, he picked up his fifth loss of the season. Despite the hiccup, Bard remains an elite set-up man going forward.

Daniel Bard's 21 consecutive scoreless appearances are a Red Sox franchise record. Bard has thrown 22 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings going back to May 23, holding opponents to a .108 average in the process, striking out 22 while issuing five free passes. It remains unclear if the Red Sox intend to re-sign closer Jonathan Papelbon this winter, but if not, Bard is more than ready to take his place in the ninth.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona is not concerned by Daniel Bard's innings count. Francona said he isn't concerned about overusing Bard. "We won't do it. There's days we make decisions where we're not going to use him because it's too easy in the eighth inning to go, 'Oh, we can get him for a hitter.' We don't do that," Francona said. "Sometimes you get burned, a situation arises where you wish you had him. Over the course of a year, it helps a lot more." Bard's 43 appearances this season are second most in the American League.