Athletics Take Three Of Four From Boston

Despite the slow start, the Boston Red Sox are still the defending World Series champions. The Oakland Athletics just took three of four games against the defending champions.

The Athletics won the series Thursday afternoon despite an ominous start. Starting pitcher Brett Anderson allowed two runs in the first inning and another in the third, giving Boston an early three run lead. That lead would disappear in the bottom half of the third when Stephen Piscotty would hit a three-run home run to tie it up.

Following a Robbie Grossman RBI double that gave the A’s a 4-3 lead, Piscotty hit a ground-rule double that would plate two giving Piscotty his fifth RBI on the day. The right fielder would finish the day 4-for-4 with five RBI, a double, and a home run. The Oakland bullpen would allow just two base runners in 3.2 innings and Khris Davis would drive in another, giving Oakland a 7-3 win.

One swing ▶️ Brand new ballgame #RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/xncI1HY7wH

— Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) April 4, 2019

Game 3: Wednesday, April 3

Result: L, 6-3

The A’s jumped out to an early 3-0 lead but Marco Estrada allowed one run in the fifth and two in the sixth to tie the game up. Fernando Rodney allowed three more in the ninth, two off the bat of Millie Betts, to give Boston the 6-3 win. The 1-4 spots in the A’s lineup combined to go 0-for-16 with three strikeouts and two walks.

Game 2: Tuesday, April 2

Result: W, 1-0

Matt Chapman’s solo shot in the first inning proved to be all the A’s needed but Ramon Laureano proved to be the hero. In the top of the ninth, Xander Boegarts hit a double off the wall in right-center. Boegarts attempted to stretch it into a triple but Laureano threw him out at third on a bounce.

If you see Ramón Laureano with the ball, put up the stop sign. pic.twitter.com/ZjM7D3Hfg6

— MLB (@MLB) April 3, 2019

Matt Chapman: First time in Athletics history (1901) that a solo homer in the 1st inning has stood up for a 1-0 victory.

— Doug Kern (@dakern74) April 3, 2019

Game 3: Monday, April 1

Result: W, 7-0

Oakland pitching allowed just six Red Sox to reach base. Aaron Brooks led the way striking out six over six innings and walking just one. Khris Davis’ home run in the second inning proved all the A’s needed but Laureano, Chapman, and Chad Pinder all had home runs.