Boston’s Jacoby Ellsbury, who got two hits last night, is hit with the ball thrown by Tampa Bay pitcher Matt Garza in front of Rays first baseman Carlos Pena, left, during the fourth inning.

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AP / Chris O’Meara

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After a strong start to the season, rookie outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury has slumped noticeably in recent weeks.

Ellsbury went into last night with only two hits in 14 at-bats on the current road trip and was 9-for-51 (.176) over the last 13 games. In fact, in the last 31 games, dating back to the end of May, Ellsbury was hitting only .234 (29-for-124), dropping his average from .297 to its current .268.

Over his last 21 games, he’s hit just one homer and knocked in only two runs. Incredibly, he walked only three times in the month of June when he had just over 100 plate appearances.

And because Ellsbury hasn’t been getting on base, his stolen base totals are down, too. He had only one in his previous 13 games before last night, though he added another in the eighth inning.

Things turned around somewhat for Ellsbury last night when he reached base three times and scored the Sox’ only run in a 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay.

In the fourth, he hit a squib in front of the plate and landed on third when Dioner Navaarro overthrew first and saw his throw roll into the right-field corner. In the sixth, Ellsbury’s speed forced shortstop Jason Bartlett to throw hurriedly and off course, as Ellsbury took second.

Finally, Ellsbury dropped down a nice bunt in the eighth, and pitcher J.P. Howell slipped as he tried to field it, resulting in yet another error. Ellsbury was not credited with a base hit.

“He hasn’t been on a tear (like earlier),” said manager Terry Francona before the game, “but he feels fine.”

Opposing scouts have been surprised that Ellsbury has stopped trying to bunt his way on base, particularly in the middle of an offensive drought.

Francona said Ellsbury’s unwillingness to bunt was because opposing defenses were positioning to take the bunt away and creating holes in the process.

“A good hitter,” said Francona, “has to take advantage of that.”

Earlier in the year, Francona was reluctant to hit Ellsbury leadoff out of fear that it would put too much pressure on him. But now that he’s slumping, the Sox won’t drop him from the top spot in the batting order.

“We don’t want to do that,” Francona said. “What he has shown he can do ignites us so much. We believe in him. Once you believe in somebody, you have to kind of let him go through it. I don’t think he’s tired. I think he’s a little frustrated. With what he brings on the bases, if he gets on (because of) an error or a forceout at second base, he can change the game with his legs.”

Change of plans

Francona had plans to have Manny Ramirez play last night in left field, giving Sean Casey a chance to start and DH.

But Ramirez told Francona that his hamstrings were sore and the Sox elected to keep Ramirez as the DH, with Brandon Moss in left.

It’s unlikely that will change for tonight’s series finale, when the Rays will start lefty Scott Kazmir.

Ramirez has had a tough series to date, going hitless in six at-bats with three strikeouts and two infield popups. He also has two walks.

What’s the good word?

Today is the first day teams can announce the signing of international free agents who turn 17 this year. The Sox have about a dozen players signed, but have yet to disclose them.

They were not in the bidding for Dominican pitcher Michael Inoa, who signed with the Oakland A’s for a reported $4.25 million, the largest signing bonus ever given to a non-Cuban player.

Oakland outbid Texas, Cincinnati, the Yankees and a handful of others for Inoa.

On the move?

The Sox denied a report in the Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribune that they had given the city of Sarasota an August deadline to make a proposal for the Sox to move their spring training headquarters there.

The club has an escape clause from Fort Myers after next spring and has been looking at new sites, including Sarasota and Estero, some 15 miles south of their current home.

A look ahead

Francona, who will manage the American League All-Star Team, said the Sox plan to travel by train to New York on the evening of July 13. The Red Sox coaches and players selected, and their family members will be on board.

The Sox will resume their second-half schedule in Anaheim, but won’t play until Friday, July 18; most teams will resume play on Thursday, July 17.

To accommodate the non-All-Star invitees, the Sox will hold a workout Thursday night at Angel Stadium because “four days is too long” a layoff, according to Francona.

Around the horn

Bartolo Colon played long-toss for a second-straight day, stretching out to nearly 120 feet for a period of a few minutes. … The Sox went into last night with a 4-11 record in road games against A.L. East teams. … Monday’s local telecast here set a record for the highest-rated in franchise history. In the Tampa market, the game earned an 8.5 in the late innings, dominating the time period. … Tim Wakefield is the all-time winningest pitcher against Tampa Bay with 19 victories, but he’s winless in his last four outings against them.

smcadam@projo.com