All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 4-3 win over the Athletics, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
The Red Sox looked like they were ready for the All-Star break on Sunday afternoon, after some sloppy play early, they found ways to find offense and defeat the lowly Oakland A’s, 4-3 from Fenway Park.
Masataka Yoshida hit an opposite field, game-winning home run in the eighth inning, capping off the Sox rally. Boston has now won five straight games and have won eight of their last nine games.
The Sox will head into the All-Star break five games above .500 at 48-43.
Yoshida’s solo shot was his 10th of the season and it traveled 353 feet off A’s lefty Ken Waldichuk.
Masataka Yoshida does not fear the Monster.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 9, 2023
MASATAKA YOSHIDA IS THE MONSTER! pic.twitter.com/IKQhpQemXa
Red Sox’ All-Star closer Kenley Jansen was summoned for the ninth and retired the side and secured his 19th save of the season.
The Athletics were 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position Sunday afternoon. They had numerous of opportunities to score runs but failed to capitalize on the Red Sox miscues.
Boston was no-hit through four innings with just six hits in the game.
TURNING POINT
Yoshida’s eighth inning homer was the game-winner for the Red Sox.
The 29-year-old wasn’t sure if the ball was even going to clear the Green Monster after he hit the ball in the air.
“I didn’t think so,” said Yoshida through his interpreter following the game.
The swing that did it. pic.twitter.com/qB6oacVpg3
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 9, 2023
The Japanese superstar is hitting .316 with 95 hits, 19 doubles, two triples, 10 homers, 44 RBI, 36 strikeouts, 27 walks and six stolen bases. He also owns a .382 on-base percentage and a .492 slugging percentage.
“I’m happy to play so far a healthy body and it’s the happiest of thing for me,” said Yoshida when asked about his first half performance.
UP
Yoshida went 2-for-4 in the win singling in the sixth and then stealing second base. He would later advance to third on a Christian Arroyo RBI double down the right field line.
Joely Rodríguez and Chris Martin battled through jams in the later innings after Oakland put two runners on base. The A’s were not able to cash in on either opportunity.
Connor Wong gunned down pinch-runner Nick Allen as he was attempting to steal second base in the ninth inning. It was the 16th time Wong has thrown a base runner out trying to steal on him.
DOWN
The A’s outhit the Red Sox, 11-6, and Boston also was hitless through the first four frames. JP Sears was in control early stifling the Sox offense until Justin Turner broke up the no-hitter with a double high off the Green Monster with the team trailing by two runs.
Josh Winckowski continues struggle out of the bullpen. He allowed A’s All-Star outfielder Brent Rooker to go yard off him to give Oakland a 3-1 lead at the time. Winckowski has posted a 7.56 ERA in his last five games giving up five homers and walking six during that span (8 1/3 innings).
NOTABLE
Adam Duvall hit his first Fenway Park home run since early April and made it 3-2. The Sox outfielder has struggled since coming off the IL, he hit just .167 in June (10-for-60) and is hitting .200 (4-for-20, including the homer) in July.
Duvall ➡️ The Monster pic.twitter.com/7cgRYfoJZo
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 9, 2023
UP NEXT
The Red Sox will have the next four games off before heading to Wrigley Field to play the Cubs. They will play a six-game road trip against Chicago and then Oakland.
Boston announced that Brayan Bello (6-5, 3.04 ERA), James Paxton (5-1, 2.73 ERA) and Kutter Crawford (3-4, 4.11 ERA) will go in the series from the Windy City.