All you need to know about the Red Sox' 1-0 loss to the A's, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Don't blame this one on the pitchers: When Matt Chapman took Chris Sale out of the ballpark with one out in the first inning, it looked like the start of another long night for Red Sox starters, who came into the game with a 9.00 ERA. But while Sale took an inning or so to find himself, the A's never threatened again, collecting just two hits after the first inning and none after the fifth. Sale deftly used mostly breaking pitches and changeups to keep the A's off-balance and Brandon Workman and Ryan Brasier each contributed an inning of scoreless relief. Though he barely resembled the power pitcher he's been in his career, Sale did contribute the first quality start of the young season for the Sox, taking the Sox through six and lightening the load at least somewhat for a beleaguered bullpen that had been called upon too early and too often in the first five games.
Lineup silenced: Maybe it's the A's pitchers. Or maybe it's the ballpark. But something happens to the Red Sox in Oakland. Recall that last year, they were no-hit by Sean Manaea in late April. Then, in this series, the Red Sox have been shutout twice in two games, held scoreless for the past 18 innings. (Credit should go to the A's starters, who have allowed just one run over the last 36 innings overall). The Sox actually out-hit the A's in this one 7-3, but couldn't collect the big hit when necessary, especially with two out. In the third, Mookie Betts doubled but was stranded. In the fourth, the Sox had baserunners at the corners with two outs but couldn't produce anything. And three times over the final four innings, the Sox had a baserunner in scoring position with two out, but failed to come through.
https://twitter.com/Athletics/status/1113304775980802048
Challenging Ramon Laureano on the bases isn't working: In the series opener Monday night, Xander Bogaerts was thrown out trying to score from second on a single when the A's center fielder fired a missile on the fly and nabbed Bogaerts at the plate in the second inning. On Tuesday, Bogaerts slammed a ball high off the wall in right center with one out in the ninth and attempted to stretch it into a triple. Three problems. First, Bogaerts thought the ball was going out and wasn't running hard out of the box. Secondly, he hesitated for a split second as he turned the bat at second. Thirdly, Laureano fielded the ball. This time, he took the carom off the wall and fired a one-hop strike to third, where Bogaerts was out. Once again, the Sox challenged and once again, the call was upheld. Laureano now has 11 outfield assists in 55 career games.
https://twitter.com/Athletics/status/1113300728905224193
TURNING POINT
The Sox' best chance came in the fifth when Andrew Benintendi reached on a check-swing slow roller to third. He then stole second with no out, with the No. 3, 4 and 5 hitters due. But Rafael Devers popped to third, J.D. Martinez grounded out to second and Bogaerts fanned.
TWO UP
Rafael Devers: Though Devers had just one hit in four trips, he made a number of impressive plays at third, where his confidence and overall play has shown improvement in the first week of the season. His best moment came when he ranged far to his left to glove a hot smash from Marcus Semien, then got to one knee from where he fired a one-hop strike to first.
Chris Sale: Sale reinvented himself for the night, throwing only one-third fastballs -- and at a diminished velocity at that, instead keeping the A's off-balance with a mix of sliders and changeups. It was a pitching clinic that limited the A's to a single run over six innings.
ONE DOWN
Brock Holt: Getting his second start of the year at second base, Holt had himself a rough night at the plate, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, including the final out of the game with the potential tying run at second base.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"For whatever (Sale) had, he did a good job keeping them off balance and gave us a chance to win.'' — Alex Cora.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Red Sox relievers have allowed just three earned runs in their last 18 innings for an ERA of 1.50
- The 1-4 start is the worst for a Red Sox team since 2012.
- After recording nine or more strikeouts in each of the first five games, the Sox staff produced just four strikeouts.
- J.D. Martinez extended his hitting streak to six games with a check-swing single in the second inning.