Nine out of ten times when the Boston Red Sox lose a game like they did last night to the Oakland A’s, it stems from one bad inning from the starting pitcher. Couple that with a ton of missed opportunities and you get exactly what happened in the 5-4 loss.
The Red Sox seemingly had A’s starter Dallas Braden on the ropes at times early and were able to get four runs. And with Tim Wakefield’s relatively easy first two innings, things seemed to be in control for them.
They had a 4-0 lead and a chance to gain ground on both the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays in the standings but the one bad inning and missed chances at the plate would cost them that shot.
Wake had gotten the first out of the 3rd inning before a Coco Crisp double and a walk to Daric Barton. After a double steal by the pair of A’s, Wake hit Kurt Suzuki after getting two strikes on him. Jack Cust, who had good numbers against the 43 year-old Wakefield, came through with a two-run double. A passed ball and a sac fly would tie the game up for the A’s and it would stay that way until the 10th.
But before that the Red Sox would squander a few chances to get themselves back out in front.
A bases loaded situation with two outs in the 5th fell by the wayside as did a bases loaded siuation with one out in the 6th. Those were the best chances for the Red Sox to put the game out of reach but they failed to do so.
There is some good news on the injury front. Josh Beckett was cleared to make his start on Friday in Seattle and it looks Victor Martinez should return next week in Anaheim. Also, infielder Jed Lowrie joined the team in Oakland and will be activated today as well Clay Buchholz who is making the start.
It was learned after the game that Ryan Shealy was designated for assignment to make room for Lowrie and that Dustin Richardson was optioned back to Pawtucket to make room for Buchholz. Jeremy Hermida will also join the team on Thursday in Seattle and it’ll likely be Daniel Nava or Darnell McDonald as the unlucky man out.
I’d put my money on Nava being the odd man out since he has options left on his contract. If they put McDonald on waivers, it’s quite likely he’d be picked up by another team and the Red Sox certainly don’t want to let him go unless they could get something in return.
We’ll be back in a while with this afternoon’s starting lineups (3:35 p.m. game time), batter/pitcher matchups, any news and links from the day but for now enjoy the overnight links after the jump.
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Five Things We Learned: Sox left with a sinking feeling [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Red Sox ejected, dejected [Boston Globe]
Excitement is starting to develop [Boston Globe]
Lowrie might get activated [Boston Globe]
Recap: A’s 5, Red Sox 4 [Boston Herald]
On road to recovery [Boston Herald]
Checks and balances doom Red Sox [Boston Herald]
Jed Lowrie set to return from mono [Boston Herald]
Michael Bowden flunks first big test [Boston Herald]
Opportunities pass Tim Wakefield by again [Boston Herald]
Red Sox eye $10M upgrade to Fenway scoreboards [Boston Herald]
Red Sox fall in extras, 5-4 [CSN New England]
Buchholz returns to rotation Wednesday [ESPN Boston]
Wakefield done in by one bad inning [ESPN Boston]
One That Got Away [Hit and Run with Dan Roche]
Jed Lowrie Feeling Healthy, Excited for Return to Red Sox [NESN.com]
Football Clubs Invade Revamped Fenway Park [NESN.com]
Tim Wakefield Makes Convincing Case to Stay in Rotation, Though Bullpen Likely Awaits [NESN.com]
Red Sox Suffer Frustrating Loss to A’s, Miss Opportunity to Gain Ground [NESN.com]
What Big Event Will Fenway Park Host Next? [NESN.com]
Richardson, Shealy out to make room for new additions [Projo Sox Blog]
Red Sox on wrong end of close calls in the 10th [Providence Journal]
Beckett still on track for Friday return; Martinez getting closer [Providence Journal]
For rookie Nava, Oakland is home turf [Providence Journal]
Jed Lowrie back with team, hopes to help down stretch [Providence Journal]
Reddick’s frustrating year showing signs of change [Providence Journal]
Slider now big piece of Bowden’s repertoire [RedSox.com]
Awaiting activation, Lowrie rejoins Red Sox [RedSox.com]
Here’s the pitch: Fenway set for soccer [RedSox.com]
Boston rotation close to full strength [RedSox.com]
Red Sox left frustrated after 10-inning loss [RedSox.com]
Pitching coach Farrell tossed for arguing [RedSox.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal and WEEI websites.
And if you must read the enemy papers, you can check out the San Francisco Chronicle and San Jose Mercury News websites.
Photo credit: AP Photos
