Black mark for Sox pen

The Sox relievers have spent the last five days proving why a lockdown bullpen is something never to be taken for granted. They have perpetrated all of the above in the span of four games, and whichever pitcher emerges from the bullpen gate suddenly seems vulnerable.

The latest was Takashi Saito, who yesterday turned a tie game into a 3-2 Red Sox defeat while not even asking very much of the Seattle Mariners. Saito walked the bases loaded in the ninth, which made Chris Woodward’s winning bloop single to shallow right field feel more inevitable than unlucky.

The loss, coupled with the Yankees’ 12-inning walkoff win in New York, reduced the Sox’ lead in the American League East to a game. The Sox had built their lead in large part because of their bullpen, and Saito became the latest reliever unable to live up to its lofty standard.

“For me, it’s always about maintaining a balance between mind, body, and skill and having all those things at an equal level,’’ Saito said through translator Masa Hoshino. “Today, my mind was running a little ahead of itself. I was a little too emotionally geared up, and my body couldn’t keep up with that.’’

Saito had not pitched since Monday, and in his previous three outings he had allowed three runs in 2 1/3 innings. Before the ninth arrived, Sox starter Brad Penny and Seattle starter Garrett Olson had dueled for six innings to a 2-2 draw. Justin Masterson and Hideki Okajima bridged to the ninth.

Manager Terry Francona gave Saito the ball because Jonathan Papelbon, having pitched in four straight games and six of the past eight days, required a day off. Saito, just two seasons ago, was an All-Star-caliber closer, accustomed to taking the ball almost every day. With the Red Sox, he understandably has been used in a more sporadic manner.

“That’s the biggest adjustment I need to make,’’ Saito said. “As a reliever in my first year with this team, if I can’t make that adjustment I know I can’t contribute to the team. It’s something I have to keep working on.’’

To begin the ninth, Saito grappled with Ken Griffey Jr. until, on the ninth pitch of the at-bat, Saito threw a 3-2 ball, the beginning of a “long, tough inning for him,’’ Francona said. Franklin Gutierrez flied out. Ryan Langerhans walked. Saito threw two balls to countryman Kenji Johjima. Pitching coach John Farrell visited. Saito threw two more balls.

“I’m not usually the kind of pitcher to give up a lot of walks,’’ Saito said. “I can’t really recall another incident like today. In the beginning, I think I was overthinking things a little too much and trying to be too fine in spotting strikes. Those ended up being balls.’’

Saito finally managed a strike to Woodward. On 1-1, Saito fired a fastball that bore in on Woodward’s hands, “a great pitch,’’ Francona said. Woodward fisted the ball to right. First baseman Mark Kotsay may have had a chance had the loaded bases not forced him to play in. Dustin Pedroia chased and dived, a step late. He threw the ball back to the infield and slammed the ground.

Saito escaped with no further damage, but the inning’s totals told the story: 38 pitches, 19 strikes. For a lesson in efficiency, Saito could have watched Seattle closer David Aardsma in the ninth. Aardsma needed only 10 pitches, seven strikes, including the final fastball pinch hitter George Kottaras watched zip across the outside corner for strike three. He turned around and made the short walk to the dugout, his bat still on his shoulder.

Including Tuesday’s 11-10 debacle in Baltimore, the Red Sox have lost three of four games, and each defeat traced directly to the bullpen. The relievers pitched four perfect innings in the one victory, and they remained confident this week is a blip, not the start of a trend.

“We’ve been going to a lot of extra-inning games,’’ said Masterson, who pitched a scoreless seventh. “Something is bound to happen. It’s only been three or four games of the 80 that we’ve played that we’ve been a little dicey in the pen. What’s made us great is our resilience, and I think that’s what we’re going to continue to do.’’

The offense provided no support aside from Jason Varitek’s 12th home run of the season, a two-run shot in the second. Every other rally fizzled, the most exasperating in the sixth.

Olson hit Rocco Baldelli with a pitch, and he reached third on Varitek’s single to left. As Jacoby Ellsbury walked to the batter’s box, third base coach DeMarlo Hale surveyed the infielders, playing back, and leaned toward Baldelli. “If it’s on the ground, you’re going,’’ Hale said.

Ellsbury lashed the ball back at Olson. Baldelli bolted for home. He thought the ball would skip through the infield, and if it didn’t, he decided he would sprint for the plate, anyway. It glanced off Olson and trickled toward the line. Olson scooped the ball and, as Baldelli froze, he threw to third.

Baldelli peeked over his shoulder and watched Olson’s throw sail high, pulling Woodward off the base. For a fraction of a second, Baldelli considered running hellbent toward home. But Woodward had saved the play, and Baldelli stopped. Getting in a rundown would prevent a double play, anyway. “It’s all I could really do,’’ Baldelli said.

A couple throws ping-ponged, and the threat ended. On most days this season, the bullpen would keep getting outs until another one materialized. Saito prevented that. He has had difficulty adjusting to his new role, but he knows he can’t complain.

“Right now,’’ Saito said, “simply, they’re pitching better than I am.’’