DETROIT (AP) - Max Scherzer's first six pitches against the Boston Red Sox missed the plate.

His day only got worse.

Jacoby Ellsbury hit a three-run homer off Scherzer in a five-run second inning, and Boston routed the Detroit Tigers 14-1 in an eight-inning, rain-shortened game Thursday.

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Scherzer (6-2) gave up a season-high seven runs on seven hits and two walks in two-plus innings, lasting fewer than five for the first time this year. He has lost consecutive starts after winning his first six decisions.

``This just wasn't Max's day,' Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. ``When he threw good pitches, they found spots. When he threw bad pitches, they found spots. Sometimes when you throw a bad pitch, they will hit it right at someone, but they hit them in the gaps and over the fence.

``When Max walks the first hitter on four pitches, that's a red flag.'

The Tigers had won three straight and poor pitching ruined the streak.

After Adam Wilk gave up only an unearned run over 3 2-3 innings in his major league debut, relievers Ryan Perry gave up four runs and got only four outs and Enrique Gonzalez allowed two runs in an inning.

``There's a lot of frustration right now,' Perry said. ``I know my ability, but I have to get back to that level.'

Perry, whom Detroit drafted 21st overall in 2008, had a 3.69 ERA over 113 games during his first two years in the majors.

He has a 12.19 ERA in 13 games this season.

``Obviously, that's a young man that has really been struggling,' Leyland said. ``We wanted to get him out there and get him some work, but there's a fine line. You want to let him get some stuff done, but you don't want to leave him out there and let things get out of hand.'

Detroit avoided getting shut out when Alex Avila hit an RBI single in the fourth to make it 7-1. The Tigers had a chance to get closer in the fifth, getting two in scoring position with only one out only to have Brennan Boesch pop up in foul territory and Miguel Cabrera strike out.

The Red Sox, who beat Cleveland 14-2 on Wednesday, scored at least 14 runs in back-to-back games for the first time since 1998.

Boston has won 11 of 13 and trails the AL East-leading New York Yankees by percentage points.

``It's a little early,' Boston manager Terry Francona said.

Since the Red Sox got off to an 0-6 start - their worst since 1945 - they've won 28 of 44 games and lead the majors with a 17-7 record this month.

``You can't judge a team in a couple weeks,' Boston catcher Jason Varitek said.

With an inning left to play, the umpires decided to call a rain delay more than an hour after it started to rain. Almost an hour later, the game was called.

NOTES: Detroit OF Magglio Ordonez, on the DL with an injured right ankle since May 11, is scheduled for ``baseball activity' before Friday's game. ... The Tigers have had at least one extra-base hit in all 49 games this year.