May 25, 2008
Oakland 2, Boston 1
The Red Sox have to wonder what exactly happened to the club that looked so strong in racking up 16 wins in 17 games before heading to Oakland, because the performance this weekend was nothing short of embarrassing for a club expecting to play in the World Series.
In their latest defeat, the Red Sox offense mustered only four hits against the A's. Julio Lugo hit his first home run of the season in the third to Boston ahead, but Oakland came right back in the fourth to tie the game on a Daric Barton double off starter Josh Beckett. Wtih the score tied at one, Bobby Crosby added a sacrifice fly in the seventh to put the A's ahead.
Running out of time, the Red Sox rallied in the top of the ninth against closer Huston Street. Dustin Pedroia led off the inning with a double and moved to third on a Manny Ramirez single one out later. An error by Crosby on a potential game ending double play ball allowed Pedroia to score from third with the tying run. After a fly out advanced Ramirez to third, J.D. Drew was picked off first base to end the inning.
Lee Gronkiewicz came on in the ninth in relief of Javier Lopez and immediately struck out the first two batters he faced. But a walk to slugger Frank Thomas proved fatal. Pinch runner Emil Brown scored easily all the way from first when a line drive by Richie Robnett skipped past Ramirez in left and rolled all the way to the outfield wall.
The sweep by Oakland was only the third series loss by the Red Sox this season.
W: Street (1-0) L: Grenkiewicz (3-1)
Player of the Game: Greg Smith (8.0, 2 Hs, R, 11 K's, 102 PI)
Around the League:
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