August 2, 2008
Career Day by Robnett Leads A's Past Sox
Oakland 8, Boston 3
After betting .219 through the first 104 games of his major league career, you have to figure that Richie Robnett would not be one to have much success against a veteran like Tim Wakefield and his devastating knuckleball. But, it was Robnett who was leading the Athletics past the Sox with a four-for-four day at the plate as the A's took game two of this three game series, 8-3.
After starting the season 8-1, Wakefield has now lost six of his last ten decisions. Against the A's, Wakefield coughed up an early two run lead in the second with a two-run home run by Dan Johnson in the second erased an early lead.
In the third, Robnett put the A's ahead for good with a solo home run off Wakefield, but it was the fifth inning that put the game away.A pair of lead-off singles by Mark Ellis and Rob Bowen started things off before a controversial balk moved both runners into scoring position. After retiring Travis Buck and Bobby Crosby, Wakefield wasn't able to get out of the inning. Daric Barton singled both runners home to put the A's ahead, but once again it was Robnett who struck Wakefield hard. After a Jack Cust single, Robnett launched a three-run home run into the right field bleachers to end Wakefield's night.
Justin Masterson and Brian Wilson combined to pitch the final four and a third innings, holding Oakland to just two hits.
Joe Blanton managed to hold the Sox in check despite surrendering nine hits and three walks over six and one third innings.
W: Joe Blanton (10-9) L: Tim Wakefield (10-7)
Player of the Game: Richie Robnett (4-4, 2B, 2 HRs, 3 Rs, 4 RBIs)
Around the League:
...Juan Rivera (.307, 3 HRs, 25 RBIs) of the Anaheim Angles will miss two weeks of action after suffering a fractured finger while making a defensive play...