Final: Red Sox 2, Athletics 5 - Red Sox unable to generate offense, Pivetta allows 3 runs in the 3rd inning

Trevor's Game Notes:

Highs but mostly lows: After defeating Oakland four consecutive times during the 2024 season, the Athletics finally won against the Red Sox 5-2. Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta received the loss in tonight's game, pitching 6.2 innings and allowing 4 earned runs. Despite this, he struck out 8 consecutive batters, tying a Red Sox record. Oakland did most of their damage in the 3rd inning against Pivetta, who was unable to locate his control. Pivetta would first walk Shea Langeliers with the bases loaded and then allow a 2-run double against Lawrence Butler, his second hit of the night. On the offensive side, Boston wasn't able to produce when it really mattered. They started the game unable to score with the bases loaded in the 1st inning, going completely cold until Rob Refsnyder crushed a solo home run to left field. 

Boston seemed to gain momentum in the 7th inning when Tyler O'Neill recorded an RBI during a bases loaded situation. However, this was their last true opportunity at the plate. All Star Closer Mason Miller would come into the game in the bottom of the 9th to record the save and tie the series up. Overall, there were inconsistencies in both pitching and batting that made it difficult for the Red Sox to come back in this game.

The Red Sox will wrap up their series against Oakland tomorrow at 7:10 p.m. with Tanner Houck on the mound.

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WHO: Red Sox (50-40) vs. Oakland Athletics (34-59)
WHEN: 7:10 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston
SERIES TO DATE: 4-0 (1-0/3-0)
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Nick Pivetta (4-5, 4.06) vs. LHP JP Sears (5-7, 4.74)
TV/RADIO: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Jarren Duran (L) CF
Rob Refsnyder (R) LF
Tyler O'Neill (R) RF
Rafael Devers (L) 3B
Connor Wong (R) C
Romy Gonzalez (R) 1B
Masataka Yoshida (L) DH
Jamie Westbrook (R) 2B
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) SS

SP Nick Pivetta

ATHLETICS

JJ Bleday (L) CF
Miguel Andujar (R) LF
Brent Rooker (R) DH
Shea Langeliers (R) C
Lawrence Butler (L) RF
Zack Gelof (R) 2B
Tyler Nevin (R) 1B
Brett Harris (R) 3B
Max Schuemann (R) SS

SP JP Sears

WHAT'S UP

The Red Sox defeated the Athletics in last night's series opener, 12-9. Boston scored 8 runs in the 2nd inning, their most in a single frame since 4/23/23 at MIL (9 R, 8th inn.) and their most at Fenway Park since 5/11/19 vs. SEA (8 R, 3rd inn.).

The Red Sox have won 7 of their last 8 games. They're an MLB-best 17-6 in 23 games since 6/12.

Wilyer Abreu had a season-high 4 RBI, hitting a 3-run HR in the 2nd inning and a sacrifice fly in the 8th.

Last night was Alex Cora's 490th win as Red Sox manager, passing Bill Carrigan for 4th most in club history. It was also Cora's 900th game managed, 5th-most in Red Sox history (4th: Bill Carrigan-1,003).

The Red Sox rank 14th in baseball with a .247 average against lefties and 13th with a .717 OPS. They’ve only hit 24 homers against southpaws, which is tied for 19th in the game. Sears has held lefty hitters to a .592 OPS so far this season. Left batters Wilyer Abreu, David Hamilton and Dominic Smith will start Wednesday’s game on the bench.

Jamie Westbrook, who was recalled from Triple-A on Tuesday, will start for the first time since June 15.