For the first four innings, the same, familiar struggle existed for the Red Sox offense: futility with runners in scoring position.
After being held to one hit in 10 such at-bats in the loss Wednesday night, the Red Sox were unsuccessful in their first three opportunities Thursday afternoon.
But then things changed for the better. After Christian Vazquez’s solo homer to lead off the bottom of the fifth tied things at 1-1, the Sox began delivering hits with runners in scoring position with regularity, leading to a 6-2 victory over the Oakland A’s.
The win left the Sox with a 6-3 homestand as they embark on the final road trip of the season.
Three doubles in the span of four hitters in the sixth produced two go-ahead runs. In the seventh, a sacrifice fly from Dustin Pedroia and a two-run single from Andrew Benintendi further extended the lead.
Drew Pomeranz limited the A’s to a single run over six innings to become the second Red Sox starter to reach 16 wins this season.
GAME NO.: 146
WHO: Red Sox (82-63) vs Oakland A’s (64-81)
WHEN: 1:35 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park
TV: NESN/MLBN
RADIO: WEEI (93.7 FM)
PITCHERS: Drew Pomeranz (15-5, 3.35) vs. Daniel Gossett (4-8, 5.02)
BOX SCORE: MLB Gameday
SERIES TO DATE: This is the rubber game of the three-game series here and the final meeting of the season between the clubs. The A’s hold a 4-2 advantage in the season series, winning three-of-four in Oakland in late May and splitting the first two games at Fenway this week. The two Red Sox wins have been lopsided (12-3, 11-1), but the A’s have won four others.
IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS:
- Strong start so far from Drew Pomeranz, who seems to be relying more on a fastball/curveball mix, while not going to his changeup as much. Pomeranz has allowed just two hits -- both singles -- through the first five innings, while allowing one walk. Of the dozen outs he's recorded, just one has been on the ground. The lefty has been getting some miss-hits from Oakland batters, with a handful of popups in the infield and shallow outfield.
- It's been interesting to watch Christian Vazquez's growth as a hitter this year. Granted five homers and 31 RBI aren't exactly eye-popping, but it's clear that Vazquez has become much more than just a "catch-and-throw'' guy in the big leagues. He's up to .297 for the season and he's certainly trending upward. Today marks the fourth straight game in which he's collected an RBI and he has multiple hits in the last three. Since July 29, Vazquez is batting .398, tops for all hitters with at least 50 at-bats. And, of course, there's always his arm. Opponents haven't recorded a stolen base against him since Aug. 3.
- Addison Reed performed a bit of a high-wire act in the top of the seventh. Called upon with one out and one on with a one-run lead, Reed allowed a double into the left field corner to Mark Canha, putting the potential tying run in scoring position. He then fanned pinch-hitter Bruce Maxwell before walking Marcus Semien to load the bases. But he ultimately redeemed himself by slipping a 95 mph four-seamer on the outside corner for a called strike three, leaving the bases loaded. Reed's appearances are seldom uninteresting.