The Athletics have their problems, no doubt. But if, only on paper, the Sox looked overmatched at any time in this series, it would have been in this final game.
For the Red Sox it was Wade Miley toting his 1-4, 6.91 ERA record over 6 starts of 2015 and facing Oakland for the first time in his career.
In the other corner, pugilistically named pitcher Sonny Gray, one of five undefeated pitchers in the American League with at least 4 wins. Coming into today’s game Gray owned an impressive 4-0 record with a 1.65 ERA in 7 starts. Opponents’ have been slugging at .234 against Gray this season, the second best mark in the AL.
But then, that’s why they play the games.
The Red Sox shut out the Athletics 2-0 to win the game and the series. It was the first Boston shut out over Oakland since Game 2 of a Fenway doubleheader on August 27, 2011; the first time in Oakland in over 7 years.
Boston’s first run Wednesday came in the 2nd inning on a Daniel Nava single to short left. They tacked on an insurance run with 2 outs in the 8th on a throwing error by Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien that scored Nava.
Boston opponents have now committed 38 errors, leading to 25 unearned Red Sox runs. Oakland has now committed an error in each of their last 11 games, the second longest such streak by an A’s team over the last 14 years.
Odds ‘n Ends
Dustin Pedroia extended his hitting streak to 7 games, one from his season high. He now has an 11-game hitting streak against the Athletics…Today’s game was Pedroia’s 1,184th tying Duffy Lewis for 15th-most in Red Sox history…3 Red Sox had 2 hits each, accounting for the club’s 6 hits Wednesday. It was Nava’s 3rd multi-hit game of the season, Pedroia’s 10th, Hanley Ramírez’ 12th…Red Sox started the day with the 4th-fewest strikeouts in the AL but racked up 11 on Wednesday for a 4th time this season…Miley gave Oakland plenty of opportunities, but the Athletics were 0-for-14 overall with runners in scoring position, stranding 9…12th game this season with 2 or fewer runs by Red Sox, the 8th game so far in May. The Sox are 2-6 in such games this month.