WEST SACRAMENTO – The Boston Red Sox’s bats have cooled despite the team playing in one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in the majors the past two nights.
Boston will attempt to restart its offense on Wednesday night when it faces the Athletics in the third contest of a four-game set at Sutter Health Park in the Capitol city of California.
The Red Sox scored five or more runs in eight of their first 10 games following the All-Star break. But they have just seven runs while splitting the first two games with the A’s. All of Boston’s runs in Monday’s 4-2 victory came courtesy of Ceddanne Rafaela’s grand slam that was nearly grabbed at the wall. In Tuesday’s 4-3 setback, Connor Wong’s two-run homer with two outs in the ninth brought the Red Sox within one run before Anthony Seigler flew out to deep center to end it.
Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said the Athletics deserve credit.
“They are pitching pretty good, I will tell you that,” he said. “… It took a series of really good at-bats in the eighth and ninth off the bullpen to get close there. It was a great finish. Seigler came up just short. You have to tip your hats sometimes.”
Tuesday’s loss was only the third in 21 games for the Red Sox. It also snapped a 10-game road winning streak. Boston’s 15-game winning streak was broken last Wednesday in a 5-1 loss against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Athletics won for just the seventh time in their past 31 games. Journeyman Brian Serven hit a two-run homer in his third big league game of the season. It was his first blast since 2022.
Serven is in the majors because of the loss of All-Star catcher Shea Langeliers (right knee), who underwent surgery to repair meniscus damage Tuesday but wasn’t ruled out for the season.
“It’s really exciting. It had been a while since I’d hit one in the majors,” Serven said. “What happened to Shea is awful. I’m just trying to do my part however I can.”
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said he isn’t sure whether Langeliers (23 homers) can make it back this season.
“It’s very unlikely, but I don’t put anything past Shea with the way he handles himself and how he’s going to attack his rehab,” Kotsay said. “A lot of it will depend on his progress, and if it’s a benefit for him to come back and (be the designated hitter).”
Boston placed infielder Curtis Mead (fractured left wrist) on the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday’s game. He’ll learn Wednesday whether he needs surgery.
Mead was hit on the wrist with a pitch Monday while playing in his first game with the Red Sox after being acquired from the Washington Nationals.
“I came here to play and be with the group down the stretch,” Mead said. “So yeah, it’s definitely disappointing. But I’m hopeful that I can be back soon.”
Left-hander Patrick Sandoval (0-0, 3.21 ERA) will start for Boston on Wednesday night. It will be his fourth start since returning from Tommy John surgery.
Sandoval worked 4 2/3 innings of five-hit scoreless ball against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. He exited after 84 pitches, and the Red Sox won 6-4.
Sandoval, 29, has made more starts (11) vs. the Athletics than against any other team due to formerly being with the Los Angeles Angels, another American League West team. He is 4-4 with a 2.56 ERA vs. the A’s.
Left-hander Jacob Lopez (5-4, 6.12 ERA) will take the mound for the Athletics on Wednesday. Lopez, 28, beat the Minnesota Twins 2-0 last Friday when he gave up one hit in five scoreless innings.
–Field Level Media