
(Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)
Final: Red Sox 3, Athletics 4 - Chapman loses lead in ninth inning, A's win series
The Boston Red Sox lose their series against the Athletics 4-3.
Both teams traded turns holding the lead in today's contest, but the Athletics got the last laugh with a game-winning RBI double by Max Muncy against Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning.
Boston rested their rotation and used a plethora of bullpen arms throughout the game. Erik Miller played the opener role for Boston, and he allowed an early run to the Athletics. Boston's trade deadline acquisition allowed two straight singles to start the game, and the A's scored on a fielder's choice play a couple at-bats later.
Boston tied the game in the second inning with the help from the bottom of the order. With two outs and two runners on base, Eli White delivered a single to right field which brought home Willson Contreras from second base.
Brayan Bello took over for Miller after the first inning, and he allowed another run to the Athletics in the fourth . Tyler Soderstrom lead off the inning with a triple to right field, and Tyler White brought Soderstrom home on a ground out to short to give the A's their second run.
Boston responded again in the sixth inning to take its first lead. White and Jake Rogers gave Boston two consecutive hits to lead off the inning, and a bunt by Nick Sogard brought home White from third base and put two runners in scoring position. Two at-bats later, Wilyer Abreu gave the Red Sox the lead with a sac fly RBI.
However, the Athletics would score two runs against Boston's strongest bullpen arms to take the series win. Jonah Heim delivered a two out RBI double against Garrett Whitlock in the eighth inning, and in the ninth, Muncy delivered his own two out RBI double against Chapman.
The Red Sox left two runners on base to end the game.
Boston will now travel to Toronto for a three-game series against the Blue Jays. First game starts tomorrow at 7:07 p.m.
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WHO: Red Sox (64-52) vs Athletics (46-71)
WHEN: 1:35 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston
SERIES TO DATE: (1-1), (4-2)
STARTING PITCHERS: LHP Erik Miller (2-0, 2.57 ERA) vs. RHP J.T. Ginn (8-6, 3.51 ERA)
TV/RADIO: NESN, MLB Network, WEEI-FM 93.7
LINEUPS
RED SOX
Nick Sogard (S) 3B
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF
Wilyer Abreu (L) DH
Willson Contreras (R) 1B
Andruw Monasterio (R) SS
Anthony Seigler (S) 2B
Jarren Duran (L) LF
Eli White (R) RF
Jake Rogers (R) C
SP Erik Miller
ATHLETICS
Henry Bolte (R) CF
Jacob Wilson (R) SS
Jonah Heim (S) C
Tyler Soderstrom (L) DH
Tommy White (R) 1B
Lawrence Butler (L) RF
Jonathan Ornelas (R) LF
Max Muncy (R) 3B
Jeff McNeil (L) 2B
SP J.T. Ginn
WHAT'S UP
The Boston Red Sox wrap up their series with the Athletics with Erik Miller getting the start as the opening pitcher.
Wilyer Abreu is back in the Red Sox lineup Sunday. He was scratched Saturday due to some swelling after fouling a ball off his lower leg Friday.
The Red Sox optioned left-hander Raymond Burgos to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday. They will replace him on the active roster with righty Seth Martinez.