FINAL: Red Sox 1, Athletics 0 - Red Sox Complete the Sweep Despite Miscues Defensively

Another great showing from a Red Sox starter, today it was from Nick Pivetta, who threw five innings, gave up five hits, a walk, and struck out three batters. In his last inning of work, he would get into a bases loaded jam with one away after three straight singles. He would get out of it by forcing a ground ball double play, and he was seen screaming and celebrating walking off the field, as he is known to do.

One thing that almost bit Boston today was the fielding. Two errors were committed, one by Trevor Story who threw an inning ending double play ball into the Sox dugout, and the other by Ceddanne Rafaela when he booted a ball in the outfield, allowing the runner to advance from first to second on what should've been a single.

My Player of the Game: Jarren Duran -  He didn't swipe a bag today like most would expect, but he was a singles machine. He went 4-4 at the plate, bringing his average up to .393 and his OBP to .469. A great start to the season for the speedy outfielder, and he'll look to continue that on Friday.

My Series MVP: Red Sox Starters - While this isn't a single player, I don't think that anyone can disagree that the starters this series, Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, and Nick Pivetta, all did their jobs at the highest level possible. The trio combined for 16 IP, 13 H, 4 ER, 19 K, and only 2 BB. The four earned runs came from a pair of two-run home runs given up by Bello, which will happen from time to time, but overall an outstanding performance from the starters, continuing a streak of amazing starts since Opening Day last Thursday.

The Sox have a much deserved off day tomorrow, but will be back on Friday night when they visit the Los Angeles Angels, first pitch being at 9:38 p.m.. Probable starters are Kutter Crawford (0-0, 0.00 ERA) and Griffin Canning (0-1, 9.00 ERA).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       _______________________________________

WHO: Red Sox (4-2) at Oakland Athletics (1-5)
WHEN: 3:37 p.m.
WHERE: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland.
SERIES TO DATE: 2-0
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Nick Pivetta (0-1, 1.50 ERA) vs. RHP Ross Stripling (0-1, 7.20 ERA)
TV/RADIO: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Jarren Duran LF
Rafael Devers 3B
Trevor Story SS
Triston Casas 1B
Masataka Yoshida DH
Ceddanne Rafaela CF
Enmanuel Valdez 2B
Reese McGuire C
Wilyer Abreu RF

SP Nick Pivetta

OPPONENT

Ryan Noda 1B
Zack Gelof 2B
JJ Bleday CF
J.D. Davis 3B
Seth Brown RF
Brent Rooker DH
Kyle McCann C
Tyler Nevin LF
Nick Allen SS

SP Ross Stripling

WHAT'S UP

The Red Sox defeated the A’s in 11 innings last night, 5-4...Boston used 19 players in the game (13 position players, 6 pitchers). The Red Sox are off tomorrow before ending their season-opening 10-game, 11-day, West Coast road trip with a 3-game series at LAA from Friday-Sunday. 

Boston leads MLB with a 1.79 ERA (11 ER/55.1 IP), the club’s 3rd-lowest mark through 6 games in the Live Ball Era (since 1920; 1.53 in 1942, 1.65 in 2001). : Through the Red Sox’ first 6 games of the season, Boston’s starting pitchers have allowed just 9 runs (8 ER) in 33.0 innings with 2 BB and 43 SO. Boston’s bullpen has not allowed a run in its last 13.0 innings, dating back to Sunday at SEA...Sox relievers have struck out 13 batters during that span, issuing just 4 walks while holding opponents to a .098 AVG (4-for-41).

Chris Martin tossed a 1-2-3 8th inning last night, his 3rd scoreless appearance of the season...He has made a career-high 23 consecutive scoreless appearances (22.0 IP), beginning on 7/30/23. It is tied for the 4th-longest scoreless streak in Red Sox history, and the 2nd-longest active streak in MLB.

Rafael Devers and Trevor Story have both seen Ross Stripling a few times before, batting .364 and .357 against him, respectively. Story has homered twice against Stripling in 14 at bats, with an OPS of 1.286. Devers has yet to hit a home run against him. 

Kenley Jansen pitched a scoreless, hitless 9th inning last night (2 BB, 2 SO)...He’s made a pair of scoreless, hitless appearances this season (also 3/28 at SEA). Jansen is 1 save away from tying Billy Wagner (422) for 6th on MLB’s all-time saves list.

Jarren Duran has 4 stolen bases in the last 2 games and has reached base safely in 7 of his 10 PA (5-for-8, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 HBP). Duran’s 6 SB lead the AL and are tied for the MLB lead, with Brice Turang of the Brewers.

With an extra base hit today, Rafael Devers will pass Carlton Fisk for 21st on the all time XBH list in Red Sox history. They both currently sit at 402.