Why this version of Tyler O'Neill is so important to these Red Sox

For much of the Red Sox latest game at Dodger Stadium, it was an easy storyline.

Tyler O'Neill, the player whose baserunning miscue Friday night drew ire from Red Sox fans, bounces back to hit a pair of late-inning go-ahead home runs. First, there was the two-run blast in the seventh inning. And then - after the Sox allowed the Dodgers to tie things up in the ninth on a Kiké Hernandez homer off closer Kenley Jansen - O'Neill went deep again, giving the Sox a two-run cushion in the 10th.

But, in the end, the chief takeaway from the Red Sox side of things was their bullpen's inability to lock things down in the final frames for a second straight night. This time the end result would be an 11-inning, 7-6 loss to the Dodgers Saturday night.

"It was great, man. We played our asses off," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora regarding the drama-filled three hours and 30 minutes. "That's what we ask from these guys. We put good at-bats. It just didn’t happen. They did the same thing. Down two, two outs, two strikes, they put the ball in play, found holes, and ended up winning the game."

As much as the sting could be felt in the visitors' clubhouse after each of the first two games coming out of the All-Star break, these days the priority seems to be a bigger picture. What is important is figuring out how the Red Sox can keep their identity as a postseason contender.

They need bullpen help.

They need some more right-handed hitting production.

And they need a good - and at least semi-healthy - O'Neill.

That's why despite the loss, one of the chief storylines remained the outfielder who showed once again the importance of having this sort of middle-of-the-order presence. Example: When O'Neill hits at least one home run this season, the Red Sox are 10-5. It didn't pan out this time, but it usally does.

The issue is the uncertainty.

O'Neill continues to battle a knee injury he has already received a cortisone shot in, necessitating days like this one where his role become one as a designated hitter instead of elite defender. The way this team is constructed, the Red Sox need him playing, and playing well.

"I feel like I’m in a good spot," O'Neill said. "It feels like the end of July, right? Getting some rest is definitely key for me. I came out of it feeling pretty good. I’m bouncing back the last couple of days. So, I’m pretty happy where I’m at, in that regard.

"I feel like a good routine where I’m at right now. It keeps me consistent. Talking with AC, even with Bres (Craig Breslow), they really preach communication and stuff. They make it easy to be on the same page and show up every day with a positive mentality. It’s easy to root for the guys. Obviously, everyone is doing well in this clubhouse. We have a good record to show for that. It was just two tough losses the last couple of days against a World Series contender. It is what it is. For me, on a personal level, I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied … I just want to be able to compete every day and show up every day and just ride that wave. Just making sure that I’m showing up every day for this team and try and be that thump in the middle order like I can be."

The running Red Sox aren't built on hitting the ball out of the park, but they also have come to realize how important it is that such events happen every once in a while. That's where O'Neill has come in.

With no Triston Casas for the time being, and a lineup construction that is lending itself to opponents sending waves of lefties to the mound, O'Neill has become a true difference-maker. That was a reality the Red Sox were reminded in the midst of all the Dodger Stadium chaos Saturday night.

"Obviously, the Dodgers are one of the best teams in the league. They have been for a long time," O'Neill said. "We wanted to come in here and show well, play well as a team and take a win or two and go from there. But they’re playing really good, man. They’re coming in with some big hits late and just doing a good job. It’s a dogfight against those guys. They pitch really well. They hit really well. They play good defense. Unfortunately, they have gotten the better of us the last two days."

"Obviously, not every day he’s gonna be 100 percent," Cora added regarding O'Neill. "We know that. But I think TO in the batter's box, he's a game-changer. He can put at-bats, he controls the strike zone, hits it out of the ballpark. He had an outstanding game."