Daniel Bard's 26 1/3-inning scoreless streak came to an end on Monday, as he served up a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning.

Bard retired only one batter while surrendering three earned runs on two hits and a walk. In the process, he picked up his fifth loss of the season. Despite the hiccup, Bard remains an elite set-up man going forward.

Daniel Bard's 21 consecutive scoreless appearances are a Red Sox franchise record.

Bard has thrown 22 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings going back to May 23, holding opponents to a .108 average in the process, striking out 22 while issuing five free passes. It remains unclear if the Red Sox intend to re-sign closer Jonathan Papelbon this winter, but if not, Bard is more than ready to take his place in the ninth.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona is not concerned by Daniel Bard's innings count.

Francona said he isn't concerned about overusing Bard. "We won't do it. There's days we make decisions where we're not going to use him because it's too easy in the eighth inning to go, 'Oh, we can get him for a hitter.' We don't do that," Francona said. "Sometimes you get burned, a situation arises where you wish you had him. Over the course of a year, it helps a lot more." Bard's 43 appearances this season are second most in the American League.

Daniel Bard earned his first save of the season in Sunday's win over the A's.

Jonathan Papelbon had pitched on both Friday and Saturday, so the closer may have been unavailable for this one. Papelbon also imploded on Saturday, getting ejected and is now likely facing a suspension. Bard is worth owning in the short-term as his strikeout rate and WHIP are elite anyway.

Daniel Bard will be unavailable for Saturday's game against the Rangers.

Bard struggled mightily in the opener taking the loss while giving up four runs in 2/3 of an inning. Bard threw 32 pitches in the game which is why he will be rested. Everyone else in the Red Sox bullpen is available.

Daniel Bard said Thursday that he would be open to the idea of being a starting pitcher at some point during his career.

"I kind of would like to try it. It's something I would like to do," said Bard. "It would kind of challenge myself. You've never proven yourself, but I know I can do the reliever thing for myself, just as a personal challenge, (starting) would be cool. Sometime down the road if we're in need of a starter it might come into play, and I would definitely be open to it, but right now it's not even an issue." Bard was awful in his only season as a starting pitcher in the minor leagues, posting a 7.08 ERA and 47/78 K/BB ratio over 75 innings between Single-A Greenville and High-A Lancaster in 2007. He has obviously evolved as a pitcher quite a bit since then, but his future is likely in the bullpen, anyway.

Daniel Bard picked up his first save of the season against the Twins on Wednesday night.

Jonathan Papelbon had pitched on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, clearly earning a day off. Bard has the makeup and stuff of a closer, but he's not going to get the gig until Papelbon moves on.