Red Sox Live By Home Runs Against A's (6-11)

Today the Red Sox beat the A's 5-3 in the series finale in this quick, two-game series split with the A's. This was a pretty good game, and a solid win for the Sox. For the second straight game, the A's got going right from the start of the game, on a leadoff home run by Coco Crisp in the first inning to make it 1-0 A's. However, in the top of the 2nd, the Sox equalized the game on an RBI single by Carl Crawford, scoring Kevin Youkilis. In the top of the 4th, the Red Sox took the lead on a solo home run by Kevin Youkilis (bottom left). In the top of the 6th, the Red Sox padded their lead on a 2-run shot by Jed Lowrie, making it 4-1 Red Sox. In the top of the 7th, the Sox scored again by the long ball, this time a solo homer by J.D. Drew, to make it 5-1 Red Sox. In the 8th and 9th innings, RBI singles by Coco Crisp and Landon Powell were not enough to put the A's back on top in a win for the Red Sox.

Clay Buchholz (top right) was pretty sharp for the most part in today's outing, throwing one-run ball over 5 1/3 innings, earning the win and making him 1-2/5.31/10 on the young season. Daniel Bard threw 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief while Bobby Jenks and Jonathan Papelbon each allowed a run in a third and two thirds of an inning, respectively. Jed Lowrie had another great game, going 2-4 with a home run and 2 RBIs. Kevin Youkilis did well also, going 2-4 with an RBI as he has been hot of late. Carl Crawford and J.D. Drew each went 1-4 with an RBI, except J.D. Drew's came on a home run. Tomorrow, the Red Sox will play in Los Angeles, and send Josh Beckett (2-1/1.80/23) against the Angels and rookie Tyler Chatwood (1-1/3.75/6) at 10:05 EST.

Bright Spots:

Clay Buchholz- 5 1/3 innings of one run ball

Daniel Bard- Got the Sox out of a big jam, throwing 1 2/3 shutout relief

J.D. Drew- 1-4 with his first home run of the season

Kevin Youkilis- 2-4 with a home run and an RBI

Jed Lowrie- 2-4 with a home run and 2 RBIs

Marco Scutaro- 2-4

Carl Crawford- 1-4 with an RBI

Dull Spots:

Jason Varitek- 0-4 with 2 strikeouts and 5 runners left on base

Jacoby Ellsbury- 0-4 with 3 strikeouts

I'm glad the Sox could nab their first road win of the season, and I hope the momentum carries into L.A.