After losing two of three games to the New York Yankees, the New York Mets fell to the Boston Red Sox on Monday evening at Fenway Park. The 3-1 loss puts New York percentage points behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East's top spot, which the Mets had occupied for several weeks.

As manager Carlos Mendoza’s crew has been reminded all too often lately, there is a need to drive in runners on base. And an occasional jolt over the fence wouldn’t hurt, either.

Instant reactions from the Red Sox’ 3-1 win over the New York Mets on Monday here at Fenway Park: 1) Boston allowed its opponent to score first in six of its previous seven games. But the Red Sox struck first with two runs in the first inning against Mets’ Kodai Senga who had allowed just five earned runs in 44 ⅓ innings over his first eight starts.