The Boston Red Sox go into Sunday afternoon’s rubber game of their three-game series against the visiting Athletics in an unfamiliar situation: Coming to the ballpark after losing the previous day.
The Red Sox’s 7-3 loss to the Athletics on Saturday snapped their nine-game winning streak and was only the fourth time in 31 games that Boston has not emerged victorious.
They were trying to achieve their second win streak of at least 10 games in a season for the first time in franchise history. The team had a 15-game winning streak from July 3-22.
Though the Red Sox trailed 7-2 going into the bottom of the ninth Saturday, they had the opportunity to tie the game. Caleb Durbin’s RBI single made it 7-3 and Boston then loaded the bases with two out against Hogan Harris. But the left-hander retired Eli White on a flyout to center to end the game and earn his 10th save.
Jake Rogers, recently acquired by Boston as a backup catcher, talked about his new team’s tenacity.
“I can speak from the other side from the last six years that this team, especially the last couple of years, this team is a pain in the butt (to play against),” he said. “And they’re relentless, a bunch of great players. They hustle everywhere.”
The Red Sox showed that hustle Saturday as they took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Jahmai Jones led off with a single, stole second with one out and he executed a double steal with Durbin to put runners on second and third with two outs.
Andruw Monasterio brought them home with a single to stretch his hitting streak to 10 games and his on-base streak to 20. But that was all of Boston’s offense until the ninth.
The Red Sox’ starting pitcher on Sunday has not been announced, which likely means it will be a bullpen game.
Saturday’s win broke the Athletics’ nine-game skid.
Starter Gage Jump surrendered two runs and six hits in six innings with 11 strikeouts to get the win, while Tyler Soderstrom and Henry Bolte homered. Jonah Heim and Donovan Walton each drove in two runs. Heim’s two-run single off the Green Monster in left field in the fifth put the Athletics ahead for good at 3-2.
The Athletics, 5-16 since the All-Star break, are scheduled to send right-hander J.T. Ginn (8-6, 3.51 ERA) to the mound on Sunday.
His last start was Tuesday, a no-decision in a 5-4 loss to the host Cincinnati Reds. Ginn gave up three runs and five hits in six innings with two walks and five strikeouts. It was his first outing since coming off the 15-day injured list with a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand.
“I thought he was really sharp for not having been back on the mound,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said after that game. “Another quality start for him. This is a young man who has really just grown and grown. It’s good to have him back out there.”
Ginn has made one career start against Boston on Sept. 18 last season. He earned the 5-3 win after allowing the host Red Sox two runs and five hits in six innings with a walk and three strikeouts.
–Field Level Media
