Red Sox Fall Sub-.500 in Loss To A's (11-12)

Doubront stuggled last night

Just after a slugfest to the A's the previous game, this game was a little more pitching-heavy, as the Sox struggled to put enough runs on the board. With Jemile Weeks on second base and two outs in the first, Yoenis Cespedes grounded a ball up the middle to drive in the speedy Weeks and give the A's a 1-0 advantage. Doubront settled down for the next two innings before encountering a bit more trouble in the fourth. Doubront allowed a single to Kurt Suzuki and walked Kila Ka'aihue with one out, and a strikeout to Anthony Recker appeared to make the A's scoring chances unlikely. However, light hitting shortstop Cliff Pennington doubled directly into the left-center gap, scoring a run to give the A's a 2-0 lead and two in scoring position. Jemile Weeks proceeded to ground one up the middle, scoring both runs and advancing to second base on the throw. He stole third and later in the at bat, reached home on a wild pitch to make it 5-0.

He only lasted four innings

The Red Sox started off their half of the fourth by manufacturing a run. Dustin Pedroia led off with a single, advanced to second on a passed ball, then came home on a pair of ground balls to second base-- getting the Sox on the board with a 5-1 deficit.  When the fifth inning began, Scott Atchison came in to relieve Doubront-- who had allowed five runs in four innings, losing his first start of the year. Atchison pitched fairly well with a line of 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 K before being relieved by Rich Hill. Hill pitched exceedingly well with 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 K in a really strong outing for the lefty. He would be relieved by Matt Albers, who was also quite good with 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K-- as the bullpen pitched well enough to win, but to no avail. However, the Sox did put up a fight in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with one out. Mike Aviles singled up the middle to score two and make things interesting with the score at 5-3. However, Lars Anderson struck out and Dustin Pedroia grounded out and 5-3 would be the final score.

Bright Spots:
Scott Atchison- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 K
Rich Hill- 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 K
Matt Albers- 1.1, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K
Cody Ross- 3-4, 1 R, 2 2B
Nick Punto- 0-1, 3 BB

Dull Spots:
Felix Doubront- 4 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 8 K
Ryan Sweeney- 0-2, 2 LOB
Lars Anderson- 0-2, 2 K, 2 LOB

Player of the Game:
Rich Hill- Ladies and gentlemen, Rich Hill is back as the lefty did what he's capable of last night with three strikeouts and just 1.2 innings.