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A’s Avoid Sweep by Sox

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SACRAMENTO – (Wire Service Report) – Lawrence Butler’s walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth gave the host Athletics a 5-4 win over the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday in Northern California.

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The Athletics (67-80), who avoided a sweep in the three-game series, got homers from Shea Langeliers and Nick Kurtz and snapped a three-game losing streak. Brent Rooker was 3-for-5 with two doubles, his 39th and 40th.

The Red Sox (81-66) had their three-game winning streak halted. Nate Eaton was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. The club will fly home to Boston, have a travel day Thursday then open up a weekend series against AL East and Wild Card rival New York.

Boston tied the game 4-4 with two outs in the top of the ninth on Rob Refsnyder’s RBI double off Elvis Alvarado. It scored pinch runner Ceddanne Rafaela from first.

Butler’s game-winning single scored Langeliers, who had doubled, from third.

Both hits came off of loser Aroldis Chapman (4-3), who had not allowed a hit to his previous 50 batters.

Hogan Harris (2-1) got the win.

Kyle Soderstrom’s pinch-hit two-run double with the bases loaded in the fifth gave the Athletics a 4-3 lead. Butler, who was on first, also tried to score but was thrown out at the plate.

Athletics starter Mason Barnett allowed three runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings with a walk and four strikeouts.

Boston tied it 2-2 on Trevor Story’s run-scoring double in the third. Jerran Duran’s groundout gave the Red Sox a 3-2 lead in the fourth.

Kurtz’s 30th homer, leading off the second, made it 2-1 Athletics. He drilled opener Payton Tolle’s pitch to the opposite field, down the left-field line and over the wall.

Eaton’s RBI double in the second tied the game 1-1 for Boston. It was a short popup down the right-field line, on which first baseman Nick Kurtz and second baseman Zack Gelof collided as they tried to catch it. The ball actually bounced off of Kurtz’s glove.

Langeliers’ one-out home run in the first gave the Athletics a 1-0 lead. His drive barely eluded a leaping Duran, who lost his glove over the fence, at the left-field wall. It was Langeliers’ 30th homer.

–Field Level Media

Refsnyder Blasts the Long Ball

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SACRAMENTO – Wire Service Preview) – Major League Baseball veteran Rob Refsnyder is the new owner of the longest homer hit by a Boston Red Sox player this season.

Refsnyder belted a 463-foot homer to fuel Boston’s second straight win in a three-game series against the Athletics, and he will aim to help the Red Sox complete the sweep Wednesday afternoon in the temporary Northern California home of the soon-to-be Las Vegas A’s.

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Boston (81-65) is in a virtual tie for second place with the New York Yankees (80-64) in the American League East, three games behind the Toronto Blue Jays (83-61). The Red Sox and Yankees also share the top two AL wild-card positions.

Refsnyder’s career-long homer was a three-run blast that capped a four-run first inning on Tuesday. It was just the 32th homer the journeyman has hit in 10 major league seasons.

“That’s the furthest ball I’ve ever hit, and it will probably be the furthest I’ll ever hit,” Refsnyder said after Boston’s 6-0 win. “It’s special to be able to do something like that. There’s a really bunch of bad years and stretches where I really couldn’t even hit the ball forward.”

When the subject turned to bragging rights, the reality that his homer was the team’s longest sunk in.

“They all count the same, but it’s bad when a 34-year-old is No. 1, so I will give some crap to some guys,” Refsnyder said.

Boston has had many heroes while outscoring the Athletics 13-0 over the first two games.

Trevor Story and Carlos Narvaez homered in the Red Sox’s 7-0 victory on Monday, and Romy Gonzalez led off Tuesday game with a homer shortly before Refsnyder’s blast.

Gonzalez also hit an RBI double in the second inning but exited with left knee soreness after 1 1/2 frames.

“Left knee kind of locked up on me, nothing too serious,” Gonzalez said. “Hoping I will be ready to go by Friday.”

Gonzalez is batting .455 (20-for-44) during a 12-game hitting streak. Prior to the homer and double on Tuesday, all 18 of the hits were singles.

The Athletics had 10 hits on Tuesday but also struck out 11 times in five innings against Boston left-hander Connelly Early, who was making his big-league debut. On Monday, Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet pitched the first seven innings of a shutout victory.

It marked the first time the A’s have been blanked in consecutive games since facing the Detroit Tigers on June 26 and the New York Yankees one day later.

“To get shut out back-to-back nights is tough,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “Our offense has been great all year.

“We’ve faced tough pitching. We had a lot of chances and we didn’t capitalize. When you have 10 hits and you don’t score any runs, it says a lot about your opportunities with runners in scoring position.”

A’s All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson had three hits to raise his batting average to .319, second best in the majors behind the .321 mark of the Yankees’ Aaron Judge.

“It’s impressive — his ability to use the whole field the way that he does,” Kotsay said. “It doesn’t seem like he’s slowing down right now.”

Left-hander Payton Tolle (0-1, 7.56 ERA) will make his third start for Boston on Wednesday. His first went well, his second did not.

The 22-year-old struck out eight in 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug. 29 in his big-league debut. He gave up two runs on three hits and two walks.

However, Tolle lasted just three innings and gave up five runs and five hits while losing to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. He fanned two and walked four.

Right-hander Mason Barnett (1-1, 9.00) will make his third career start for the A’s.

Barnett, 24, struggled in his debut vs. the Texas Rangers on Aug. 30, permitting five runs on eight hits in four-plus innings. He came back to beat the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, when he allowed four runs and three hits over five innings. In the latter contest, he struck out eight and walked five.

–Field Level Media

Steel Curtain Adds Peppers

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PITTSBURGH – (Wire Service Report) – The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms on a deal with veteran safety Jabrill Peppers, NFL Network reported.

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Peppers, 29, was released by New England in a surprising move on Aug. 29. He signed a three-year, $24 million extension with the Patriots in July 2024, but injuries and a league suspension limited him to six games last season.

The Steelers add a player with 99 games of experience (85 starts) and more than 500 tackles with the Cleveland Browns (2017-18), New York Giants (2019-21) and Patriots. He has seven interceptions, seven fumble recoveries, 5.5 sacks and 35 passes defensed.

Peppers was selected by the Browns with the 25th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Michigan.

Peppers spent time on the commissioner’s exempt list in 2024 after he was the subject of a domestic violence charge. He was acquitted of multiple assault charges in January.

The Steelers lost starting safety DeShon Elliott to a knee injury during Sunday’s season-opening win against the New York Jets. Elliott is expected to miss multiple weeks with an MCL sprain, per multiple reports.

Pittsburgh has a Week 3 meeting with the Patriots in Foxborough, Mass.

–Field Level Media

Early Bird Gets the A’s

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SACRAMENTO – (Wire Service Report) – Boston’s rookie starting pitcher Connelly Early struck out 11 to match the franchise record for a pitcher in his major league debut, tossing five shutout innings as the Red Sox notched a 6-0 victory over the Athletics on Tuesday at the new Northern California home of the A’s.

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The 23-year-old left-hander, promoted from Triple-A Worcester earlier in the day, allowed five hits and one walk. Early (1-0) matched the team strikeout record set by Don Aase in his first start for Boston on July 26, 1977.

Boston’s Rob Refsnyder had a three-run homer among two hits and Romy Gonzalez added a homer, a double and two RBIs as the Red Sox recorded their third straight victory.

Boston (81-65) is in a virtual tie for second place with the New York Yankees (80-64) in the American League, three games behind the Toronto Blue Jays (83-61). The Red Sox and Yankees also share the top two AL wild-card positions.

Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to 12 games before leaving after the top of the second inning due to left knee soreness. All 18 of his hits during the hitting streak were singles prior to the extra-base hits on Tuesday. He is batting .455 (20-for-44) during the streak.

Early was promoted when right-hander Dustin May (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier Tuesday. Four Boston relievers completed a 10-hit shutout.

Jacob Wilson had three hits and Zach Gelof and Shea Langeliers had two apiece for the Athletics (66-80), who have been blanked in each of the first two games of this series and have dropped eight of their past 11 games.

A’s starter Jeffrey Springs (10-11) served up two first-inning homers and wound up yielding five runs and eight hits over five-plus innings. He struck out six and walked none.

Boston led 4-0 just four hitters into the game.

Gonzalez led off the game by ripping a 2-0 slider from Springs 426 feet over the wall in left-center.

Alex Bregman and Trevor Story followed with singles before Refsnyder jumped on a 1-2 fastball and sent it 463 feet to left-center for a three-run blast.

The Red Sox tacked on one run in the second as Nick Sogard doubled and Gonzalez laced a one-out double to make it 5-0.

Early retired the first eight batters he faced and struck out six over the first three innings. He then raised his strikeout count to nine while working out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth.

Nick Kurtz had a leadoff single for the A’s before Early fanned Colby Thomas. Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom followed with singles before Early struck out Darrel Hernaiz and Lawrence Butler to end the frame.

Masataka Yoshida’s infield out in the eighth plated the final Boston run.

–Field Level Media

Las Vegas Outrushes Patriots

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FOXBOROUGH – (Wire Service Report) – Newly acquired quarterback Geno Smith threw for 362 yards Sunday, rookie running back Ashton Jeanty scored the go-ahead touchdown, and visiting Las Vegas gave new coach Pete Carroll a win in his first game with the Raiders, stopping the New England Patriots 20-13.

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Smith completed 24 of 34 passes with a touchdown and an interception as Las Vegas outgained New England 389-336. Jeanty had just 38 yards on 19 carries but one of them was a 3-yard run with 9:39 left in the third quarter that put the Raiders ahead for good at 14-10.

Daniel Carlson added field goals of 51 and 40 yards later in the second half to give Las Vegas a two-score lead. Rookie Andy Borregales connected from 44 yards out with 19 seconds left to get the Patriots within seven points, but his onside kick bounced out of bounds to seal the outcome.

Drake Maye hit 30 of 46 attempts for 287 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but it wasn’t enough to give Mike Vrabel a win in his first game as New England’s coach. Wasted in the loss were 2 1/2 sacks from Harold Landry and 103 receiving yards from Kayshon Boutte.

Raiders tight end Brock Bowers matched Boutte’s 103 receiving yards on just five catches.

Las Vegas opened its season with a loud bang, driving 66 yards with the season’s first possession. Smith capped the drive just 2:43 into the game, finding Tre Turner on a post pattern for a 26-yard touchdown.

The Raiders were marching again when Smith extended New England a lifeline by tossing an interception to Jaylinn Hawkins at the Patriots’ 18. They cashed it in with an 82-yard march that Maye finished on a 2-yard strike to DeMario Douglas at the 1:02 mark.

Neither team scored again until New England lashed together a drive late in the first half. A 56-yard drive positioned Borregales for a 35-yard field goal with 1:57 remaining, enabling the Patriots to take a 10-7 edge to the locker room.

–Field Level Media

Sox Call on Bello

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PHOENIX – (Wire Service Report) – The Boston Red Sox will call on right-hander Brayan Bello, one of their rotation’s big three, to stop a three-game skid in the series finale against Arizona this afternoon.

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Bello, Red Sox No. 1 starter Garrett Crochet and Saturday hard-luck loser Lucas Giolito are 26-8 with a 2.62 ERA in 45 games since June 10. The Red Sox are 33-12 in those 45.

Bello (11-6, 3.07 ERA) is set to oppose Arizona right-hander Ryne Nelson (7-3, 3.57) on Sunday.

Bello, a top prospect when he broke into the majors in 2022 and a double-digit winner in each of the last two years, is having a breakout season in terms of peripherals.

His ERA and WHIP (1.23) are at career-low levels. He has made 15 quality starts.

“Everybody goes through that, right?” Boston manager Alex Cora said of the maturation he has seen in Bello, 26. “It doesn’t matter if you are Cy Young or Brayan Bello, you know. You have to learn through the process.

Bello will try to keep the Sox from falling further behind in the playoff chase against a Diamondbacks team that is playing its best baseball of the season.

The D-backs have won four games in a row and eight of 10 after their 5-1 victory Saturday, and they are 21-13 since they dealt five free agents-to-be at the trade deadline.

Blaze Alexander has been among the catalysts. Alexander took a home run away from Alex Bregman with a leap at the left field fence in the eighth inning Saturday after throwing out a runner at the plate from center field in Friday’s 10-5 win.

“You can feel the energy that he creates,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said of Alexander. “It’s the athleticism that we are always impressed by. He’s one of the many guys who are giving us a lot of energy.

“It’s an exciting brand of baseball we are playing. We play athletically. We can move fast.”

Nelson has been consistent in his nine starts since the All-Star break, although it is not reflected in his victory total. He has made five quality starts in that run, going 2-1 with a 3.42 ERA.

“You get to this part of the year, and every game feels like the most important game,” Nelson said. “The momentum swings all year have kind of been (like) riding the highs, riding in the lows. If we just stay somewhere in the middle, that’s the best way to move forward.”

Nelson threw 63 fastballs, 21 curve balls and 10 sliders in his most recent outing, a no-decision against Texas in which he gave up three runs in six innings and was in line for the victory until the bullpen collapsed late in a 7-5, 10-inning loss on Monday.

The off-speed pitches are a focus to get hitters off his fastball.

“I think some sort of game plan involving that (off-speed) is a way to protect the fastball,” Nelson said. “It’s always been something we’ve wanted to work in. Keep them a little bit more off-balance.”

Nelson beat the Red Sox in his only career appearance against them, a 12-2 victory last year in Fenway Park in which he gave up two runs in six innings with seven strikeouts. Rob Refsnyder homered against him in that August 2024 game.

Bello faced the Diamondbacks in that contest for the only time in his career, giving up five runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings in the loss.

-Field Level Media

NFL: Opening Day Preview

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New England Patriots vs. Las Vegas Raiders: Week 1 | Game Preview

The New England Patriots kick off their 2025 NFL season against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, September 7, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. This Week 1 clash, airing at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS, promises an intriguing matchup as both teams look to set the tone for the season. With the Patriots favored by 2.5 points and an over/under set at 42.5 points, here’s a breakdown of what to expect.

Team Overviews

New England Patriots (0-0)

The Patriots enter 2025 under the leadership of new head coach Mike Vrabel, who replaced Jerod Mayo after a turbulent offseason. Vrabel, a former Patriots player with three Super Bowl rings, brings a hard-nosed approach to a team looking to rebound from a lackluster 2024 campaign. Quarterback Drake Maye, now in his second year, showed promise last season with 2,276 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while completing 66.6% of his passes. The Patriots’ offense, coordinated by former Raiders coach Josh McDaniels, aims to capitalize on Maye’s development and a revamped receiving corps. However, their 2024 receiving yards total of 3,343 was the lowest in the NFL, indicating a need for improvement in the passing game.

Defensively, the Patriots return key players like Christian Gonzalez and Jabrill Peppers, who anchor a unit that allowed 211.5 passing yards and 131.4 rushing yards per game last season. With no active injuries reported, New England is poised to lean on its defense to keep games close while the offense finds its rhythm.

Las Vegas Raiders (0-0)

The Raiders, led by head coach Pete Carroll, the NFL’s oldest active coach, are looking to make a statement on the road. Their 2024 season was marred by inefficiencies, particularly in goal-to-go situations, where they amassed just 49 yards, the fewest in the NFL. Quarterback Geno Smith, who threw for 4,320 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024, remains a dual-threat with 272 rushing yards and two scores. Tight end Brock Bowers, coming off a stellar rookie season with 112 receptions for 1,194 yards, and wideout Jakobi Meyers (1,027 yards) give the Raiders a potent passing attack.

On defense, the Raiders feature playmakers like Divine Deablo (1.0 sack, 3.0 TFL) and Trevon Moehrig (26 tackles, one interception in 2024). With no active injuries, Las Vegas is healthy but faces challenges against a Patriots defense that could exploit their 2024 offensive struggles, including a -7.4 point differential and 216.2 passing yards allowed per game.

Key Matchups

  1. Drake Maye vs. Raiders Secondary: Maye’s ability to exploit the Raiders’ pass defense, which allowed 216.2 yards per game in 2024, will be critical. If he can connect with his receivers early, the Patriots could control the game’s tempo. However, Las Vegas’s secondary, led by Moehrig, will look to force turnovers.

  2. Raiders’ Passing Attack vs. Patriots’ Secondary: Geno Smith, Bowers, and Meyers form a dangerous trio, but they’ll face a Patriots defense bolstered by Gonzalez and Peppers. New England’s ability to contain Bowers, who was a top-10 receiver in 2024, could limit the Raiders’ offensive output.

  3. Coaching Chess Match: Vrabel and Carroll, both seasoned coaches, bring contrasting styles. Vrabel’s defensive-minded approach will test Carroll’s offensive creativity, while McDaniels’ familiarity with the Raiders could give the Patriots an edge in play-calling.

Stats to Watch

  • Patriots’ Passing Game: New England’s 176.2 passing yards per game in 2024 ranked among the league’s worst. Improvement from Maye and the departure of Kendrick Bourne signal a shift toward younger playmakers like rookie Will Campbell.

  • Raiders’ Red Zone Struggles: Las Vegas’s 49 yards in goal-to-go situations last season highlight a critical weakness. If the Patriots’ defense holds firm inside the 20, they could force field goals and keep the game within reach.

  • Turnover Battle: Both teams had modest turnover differentials in 2024 (Raiders: +1, Patriots: +0.6). The team that wins the turnover battle could dictate the outcome in a game projected to be close.

Predictions

Analysts give the Patriots a slight edge, with a 60% win probability compared to the Raiders’ 40%, per simulations. The Patriots’ home-field advantage at Gillette Stadium, where they’ll celebrate the induction of Julian Edelman and Bill Parcells into the Patriots Hall of Fame, could provide an emotional boost. Expect Vrabel’s defense to pressure Smith, while Maye makes enough plays to secure a narrow victory.

Score Prediction: Patriots 24, Raiders 20

How to Watch

  • Time: 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, September 7, 2025

  • Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA

  • TV: CBS

  • Streaming: FUBO

  • Tickets: Available on StubHub, starting at $233

Guardians Avoid Sox Sweep

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BOSTON – (Wire Service Report) – Gabriel Arias hit a two-run home run during a six-run second inning that propelled the visiting Cleveland Guardians to an 8-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

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Arias’ home run, his 10th of the season, gave Cleveland (69-69) a 3-0 lead. The six-run second included an RBI single by Steven Kwan, who later scored on a wild pitch; an obstruction call on Boston catcher Connor Wong that forced in Brayan Rocchio; and an error on left fielder Jarren Duran that allowed Jose Ramirez to score.

The Guardians received a strong pitching performance from Joey Cantillo (4-3), who limited Boston to a run on five hits in six innings. He struck out seven and walked two.

Kwan had three hits in the win. C.J. Kayfus and Bo Naylor each added two hits for Cleveland, which ended a three-game losing streak. Romy Gonzalez collected two of Boston’s seven hits.

Brennan Bernardino (4-3) took the loss. Bernardino, one of five pitchers the Red Sox used, exited the mound after recording two outs in the first inning. He gave up a run on one hit and walked one.

Jordan Hicks surrendered four of the six runs Cleveland scored in the second.

The victory prevented Boston (78-63) from completing a three-game sweep. The Red Sox won 6-4 Monday, Sept. 1, and 11-7 Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Kwan gave the Guardians a 1-0 lead when he scored on an infield groundout in the first inning.

After Cleveland extended its lead to 7-0, Boston scored in the fourth. Nick Sogard’s single drove in Rob Refsnyder to make it 7-1.

It was 8-1 after Naylor scored on a Kayfus sacrifice fly in the eighth.

Boston’s Nate Eaton started in right field in place of Roman Anthony, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with an oblique injury. Eaton batted in the leadoff spot and went 1-for-3.

Six of Boston’s seven hits in the game were singles.

Roman Anthony Out 4-6 Weeks

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BOSTON – (Wire Service Report) – Boston rookie outfielder Roman Anthony was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain and is expected to miss four to six weeks, Red Sox manager Alex Cora told WEEI Radio.

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Anthony grabbed his back after he struck out in the fourth inning of Boston’s 11-7 triumph over Cleveland (68-69) on Tuesday. He was replaced in right field by Nate Eaton in the top of the fifth by the Red Sox (78-62).

“He’s going on the IL. He has an oblique strain,” Cora said Wednesday. “Timetable, we don’t know… Usually takes from 4-6 weeks.”

The left-handed-hitting Anthony said he first felt discomfort during a check swing earlier in the at-bat.

“Pretty sudden,” he said after Tuesday’s game. “I’m hoping for the best and staying positive, but any time I’m not out there, I’m pretty (angry). It (stinks).”

Anthony was named the American League Rookie of the Month for August on Wednesday morning.

He has been one of Boston’s most productive offensive players since he was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on June 9. He’s batting .292 with a .396 on-base percentage and a .463 slugging percentage in 71 games with the Red Sox. He has eight home runs, 18 doubles, 32 RBIs and 48 runs.

The Red Sox already are down one outfielder; Wilyer Abreu has been on the injured list since Aug. 21, retroactive to Aug. 18, with a right calf strain.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox Out-Slug Guardians

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BOSTON – (Wire Service Report) – The Boston Red Sox broke open a tie game by scoring four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning en route to an 11-7 victory over the visiting Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night.

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Alex Bregman’s RBI single handed the Red Sox (78-62) an 8-7 lead. Jarren Duran followed with an RBI double and then Trevor Story added a two-run double. Three of the four runs were charged to Cade Smith, who allowed four hits and didn’t retire a batter.

Cleveland’s Hunter Gaddis (1-2) pitched one inning and allowed one run before giving way to Smith.

Nathaniel Lowe (No. 18) and Ceddanne Rafaela (No. 16) homered for Boston, which has won three in a row.

Cleveland (68-69) received solo home runs from Jhonkensy Noel (No. 3) and Austin Hedges (No. 4), a two-run home run from David Fry (No. 7) and a three-run home run from Brayan Rocchio (No. 4). All four home runs were hit off Boston starter Garrett Crochet, who allowed seven runs on nine hits in six innings.

Noel’s home run opened the scoring in the second. Boston strung together six straight hits in the bottom of the inning, when it took a 4-1 lead. The inning featured an RBI single by Romy Gonzalez, a two-run single by Rafaela and an RBI single by Roman Anthony.

Three of Cleveland’s four home runs came in the top of the sixth, when the Guardians scored six runs to take a 7-5 lead. Hedges’ home run made it 5-2, Fry’s two-run shot pulled the Guardians within a run and Rocchio’s three-run home run put the Guardians in front 7-5.

Rafaela tied the game by hitting a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth.

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Anthony left the game after he struck out in the fourth inning. He grabbed his back and went straight to the clubhouse, and Nate Eaton replaced him in right field. The Red Sox said Anthony exited with left oblique tightness.

–Field Level Media