Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis, who went 0-for-5 yesterday, displays his frustration after lining out to start the eighth inning.

The Providence Journal / Bob Breidenbach

BOSTON — Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka plays the game of baseball the way it was meant to be played.

His work ethic is second to none, almost over the top at times, and when he doesn’t perform up to his standards, he takes it to heart.

Yesterday was one of those days.

His record dropped to 13-9 after he gave up six runs on eight hits and three walks in a 6-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in a matinee at Fenway Park. Boston scored five runs over the last three innings, but fell just short in its comeback attempt.

The worst part, at least in Dice-K’s mind, was the fact the Red Sox had a chance to sweep the three-game series only to fall short yesterday. Boston received a tremendous outing from Tim Wakefield on Monday in a 3-0 victory, and won in dramatic come-from-behind-walk-off-fashion, 2-1, on Tuesday.

“Having won in such great fashion [on Tuesday], I’m very disappointed, even sorry, that I put a stop to our momentum,” said Matsuzaka, following yesterday’s loss.

The Japanese right-hander struggled from the start, allowing a run in the first inning before surrendering four in the third as Tampa climbed to a 5-0 lead. With Matsuzaka’s pitch-count running up, the Devil Rays pushed another across in the sixth for a six-run lead.

“I didn’t think he had his best today,” said Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo, who went 2-for-4. “He walked a couple of guys, and they got some good hits.”

Other than a no-decision in his last outing last weekend in Baltimore, Matsuzaka has followed each win with a loss since July 3. It doesn’t help that his offense has scored only four runs for him in his last four losses.

Entering yesterday’s loss, Matsuzaka had allowed two or fewer runs in each of his previous four starts, and the four-run third yesterday was the sixth time this season he has surrendered at least four in an inning.

“Other than the four-run inning, we were able to keep them in check,” said Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek. “I don’t think it was a bad outing, and we have to hit well, too, when he pitches.”

According to Varitek, it doesn’t matter how many times teams have faced Matsuzaka — Tampa has faced him three times now — it’s just a matter of him effectively executing his game plan. It’s easy to say teams have a better scouting report on the first-year major-leaguer, but he still has to execute.

“That’s the key,” Varitek said. “A pitcher has to make adjustments and your quality has to be there, too.”

The Devil Rays attempted to do all the little things against Matsuzaka and the Red Sox yesterday, especially running with men on base. Tampa stole second twice, and was caught stealing twice in an attempt to derail Dice-K’s rhythm.

“Any time you face a good pitcher, and Daisuke is a good pitcher, one of my attempts is to affect his concentration,” said Tampa manager Joe Maddon. “Even though we got two guys thrown out, we were successful with two. I always think it’s important to strip the concentration of really good pitchers.”

On the flip side, Tampa starter Andy Sonnantine was solid en route to victory, snapping an eight-game losing skid over his last 11 starts. He worked 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on four hits with two walks and three strikeouts to improve to 2-8.

“I know he wasn’t ahead of every hitter, but it sure seemed like it,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. “He threw strike one. We didn’t hit in a lot of hitters’ counts. He’s got some deception to his delivery, but I think the biggest thing was he was throwing strike one.”

The Red Sox have today off before they host the Los Angeles Angels for four games in a three-day period.

jmcdonal@projo.com