PHOENIX — Instant reactions as the Red Sox open their trip out west with a dud, falling to the Diamondbacks, 10-5, as Payton Tolle struggles in his second major league start and Justin Slaten implodes late:

1) The early story of this one was Tolle, who entered with high expectations after dazzling in his big league debut a week ago. The jump from Triple-A to the majors is a tremendous one, especially for a pitcher a year out of college who began the season at High-A.

Tolle’s crash course at Chase Field featured loud contact, a lack of command and a couple of marathon at-bats that drove up his pitch count and put Arizona in a position to pounce. He didn’t have much swing-and-miss and produced an ugly line, allowing five earned runs while allowing five hits, walking four, unleashing a costly wild pitch and allowing two homers on 77 pitches in just three innings.

An erratic Tolle was greeted by No. 2 hitter Geraldo Perdomo — who worked a nine-pitch at-bat before smoking a solo homer – in the first. Jordan Lawlar then doubled and scored when Tolle airmailed a changeup in the second. Things really unraveled in the third, when Tolle issued back-to-back one-out walks, then allowed a laser, three-run homer to Ildemaro Vargas, who left the ballpark with an exit velocity of 111.9 mph.

2) The Sox showed a whole lot of fight in a game that seemed out of reach early. A parade of hits turned a five-run deficit into a one-run game against a scuffling Arizona bullpen in the eighth. It wasn’t close for long, though.

Boston had the tying run on second (in the form of speedy pinch-runner David Hamilton) and one out but lefty Andrew Saalfrank got Nathaniel Lowe to fly out and struck out Nate Eaton with a man on second. Then, Slaten imploded in his attempt to keep the game close.

Slaten allowed four hits, including a two-out, three-run blast by Corbin Carroll, as the D-Backs stretched their lead out to five runs again. Taylor Rashi, originally tasked with protecting a one-run lead in the ninth, had plenty of breathing room and set Boston down quickly as Arizona got back to .500.

3) The loss dropped Boston to 4 ½ games behind the Blue Jays, who beat the Yankees in the Bronx. New York kept a half-game lead for the top wild card spot. The Red Sox remain 5 ½ games clear of the Royals and Rangers, the top teams on the outside looking in.

4) Tolle’s gameplan was similar to his debut against the Pirates, in which he struck out eight. He kept a fastball-dominant approach (53%, compared to 50%) last week while averaging around 96 mph. The difference was a lack of command on the secondary offerings.

It’s unclear when Tolle will pitch next. Alex Cora doesn’t seem too keen on pitching him on four days rest in Sacramento on Wednesday afternoon.

5) Shortly before Tolle’s poor third inning came a turning point on the bases. Trailing 2-1, the Red Sox had the tying run on second after Alex Bregman’s one-out single. Trevor Story then struck out before Romy Gonzalez shot a single into center. But Carlos Narváez, clearly hobbled by a knee injury he has been battling for weeks, was gunned down at the plate on a great throw from Blaze Alexander that kept the lead for Arizona.

It was a somewhat aggressive send by third base coach Kyle Hudson with Narváez limited, but one that made sense in the context of Boston’s short-handed lineup.

6) Old friend Eduardo Rodríguez didn’t look like a pitcher who came in with a 5.30 ERA. He lasted six innings, allowing just the lone run while allowing four hits and two walks. He settled down once given a comfortable lead in the third.

7) Replay aficionado Mike Brenly had a nice moment in front of his dad, Bob, the former Arizona manager who is now a broadcaster for the D-Backs. On a Perdomo single in the second, Ceddanne Rafaela unleashed a throw to third and nabbed Ketel Marte — on a play overturned by replay showing that Alex Bregman’s great tag got the out.

8) A positive sign for the Red Sox’ offense came in the second, when Lowe won a left-on-left matchup and smoked an RBI triple to right field, nearly missing a homer. Lowe is going to play more against lefties with Roman Anthony and Wilyer Abreu both out, Ceddanne Rafaela needed in the outfield and Romy Gonzalez manning second. Entering Friday, Lowe had a .499 OPS against lefties — and just nine extra-base hits — in 162 chances this year.

9) The Red Sox will turn to Lucas Giolito (10-2, 3.38 ERA) in an effort to right the ship Saturday night. He’ll be opposed by right Brandon Pfaadt (12-8, 5.33 ERA). First pitch is at 8:10 p.m. ET.

Giolito, at 125 ⅓ innings, is closing in on the all-important 140-inning mark that determines his contractual status for 2026.

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