By ALEX ESPINOZA | Associated Press
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The A’s were shut out Wednesday in the final out of their home opener, as the Red Sox beat them 1-0, extending Oakland’s scoreless streak to 17 innings.
Wednesday morning was their third shutout loss of the week-long season, although manager Mark Kotsay saw the eight-hit performance as an improvement over the previous night’s loss.
“The hitters were better, even though we didn’t score,” Kotsay said. “The Red Sox bullpen is rocking right now. It was a challenge.
The A’s drew 6,436 for the game and totaled 45,068 fans for a home game in which they went 1-6 and fell to the worst point difference of minus-29 in the AL.
The team has announced plans to move to Las Vegas for the 2028 season and it is not yet clear where the A’s will play in 2025.
Ross Stripling (0-2) allowed eight hits in seven innings and lost his seventh straight decision since beating Toronto on October 1, 2022.
Nick Pivetta combined with four relievers in Boston’s second shutout of the series. Enmanuel Valdéz hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning for the game’s only run as Boston completed the sweep.
“Good teams find ways to win games like this and we did,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “I know a lot of people over the years, they pick on us because we come here and we don’t sweep, or we lose the series, whatever. You know what? We’ve swept it and now we’re moving on.
Pivetta (1-1) threw 90 pitches before Boston went to the bullpen. Joely Rodriguez had two outs, Justin Slaten four and Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen pitched one inning each.
After two walks, Jansen forced Abraham Toro into a force out, then struck out Ryan Noda for his second save this season and the 422nd of his career, tying Bill Wagner for sixth place. Next on the list is Francisco Rodriguez (437 career saves) in fifth place.
“I think it’s great to tie a guy like that,” Jansen said. “That’s what should motivate you.” One of the greats who did it. He’s probably the best left-handed closer.
Boston’s Jarren Duran went 4-for-4 and increased his batting average to .393.
Boston lowered its ERA to a major league-best 1.54, and the Red Sox bullpen extended its scoreless streak to 17 innings.
Triston Casas, Masataka Yoshida and Ceddanne Rafaela hit back-to-back one-out singles in the fourth, and Valdéz flied to right as Casas scored easily.
FOLLOWING
Red Sox: RHP Kutter Crawford (0-0) starts Friday for the Los Angeles Angels in the first game of the final series of a three-city trip. He allowed one unearned run in six innings in his first outing, a 4-3 loss at Seattle. RHP Griffin Canning (0-1) starts for the Angels.
Athletics: LHP JP Sears (0-1) starts the series opener Friday at Detroit.
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