AL: BOSTON at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: C Lewis relieved J Marshall. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 2 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: BOSTON 0 OAKLAND 2 TOP, 8TH DUE UP FOR BOSTON: M Ramirez (.284, 0-FOR-1)</div>
AL: BOSTON at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - BOSTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 OAKLAND 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 7 1 (BOT 8) CURRENT PITCHERS: BOS - DAISUKE MATSUZAKA OAK - COLBY LEWIS DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: N SWISHER (.298, 2-FOR-3, RBI) D JOHNSON (.287, 0-FOR-3) E CHAVEZ (.243, 2-FOR-3, HR, RBI)</div>
AL: BOSTON at OAKLAND <div class="pre">BOSTON (0) VS OAKLAND (2) - MID 8TH - IN PROGRESS BOSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg J Lugo ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .225 D Pedroia 2b 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .329 D Ortiz dh 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .332 M Ramirez lf 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 .283 K Youkilis 1b 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 .343 M Lowell 3b 3 0 1 0 0 0 4 .332 J Varitek c 2 0 0 0 1 1 1 .276 W Pena rf 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 .237 C Crisp cf 3 0 0 0 0 0 4 .233 Totals 22 0 3 0 7 1 16 BATTING: S - D Pedroia. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Lowell 2, J Lugo 1. GIDP - C Crisp 2, M Lowell, K Youkilis. Team LOB - 7. FIELDING: DP: 1 (J Varitek-J Lugo). OAKLAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg T Buck lf 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .252 M Ellis 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .264 N Swisher rf 3 0 2 1 0 1 1 .298 D Johnson 1b 3 0 0 0 0 1 4 .287 E Chavez 3b 3 1 2 1 0 1 0 .243 B Crosby ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .244 J Cust dh 2 0 1 0 1 1 1 .228 M Kotsay cf 3 0 0 0 0 3 3 .111 J Kendall c 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 .191 Totals 27 2 7 2 2 8 13 BATTING: 2B - N Swisher (12, D Matsuzaka). HR - E Chavez (9, 4th inning off D Matsuzaka 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - E Chavez (28), N Swisher (34). 2-out RBI - N Swisher. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - D Johnson 3. Team LOB - 6. BASERUNNING: SB - M Ellis (3, 2nd base off D Matsuzaka/J Varitek). CS - J Cust (2, 2nd base by D Matsuzaka/J Varitek). FIELDING: E - B Crosby (8, ground ball). DP: 5 (D Johnson-B Crosby, B Crosby-M Ellis-D Johnson, E Chavez-M Ellis-D Johnson, E Chavez-D Johnson 2). ---------------------------------------------------- BOSTON - 000 000 00 -- 0 OAKLAND - 000 110 0 -- 2 ---------------------------------------------------- BOSTON ip h r er bb so hr era D Matsuzaka 7 7 2 2 2 8 1 4.63 OAKLAND ip h r er bb so hr era L DiNardo 6 2 0 0 6 0 0 1.45 K Calero 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 6.23 J Marshall 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.16 C Lewis 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 12.86 HBP - D Pedroia (by J Marshall). Pitches-strikes: D Matsuzaka 129-77; L DiNardo 89-43; K Calero 21-13; J Marshall 8-4; C Lewis 2-1. Ground balls-fly balls: D Matsuzaka 3-9; L DiNardo 15-3; K Calero 0-2; J Marshall 0-1; C Lewis 0-1. Batters faced: D Matsuzaka 29; L DiNardo 23; K Calero 5; J Marshall 2; C Lewis 1. UMPIRES: HP--Paul Emmel. 1B--Dan Iassogna. 2B--Ron Kulpa. 3B--Dale Scott. Weather: 63 degrees, clear. Wind: 24 mph, out to right.</div>
AL: BOSTON at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - PITCHING CHANGE BOS: JAVIER LOPEZ (1-0, 3.46) STARTING THE 8TH CURRENT SCORE: BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 2 DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: N SWISHER (.298, 2-FOR-3, RBI)</div>
AL: BOSTON at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: J Lopez relieved D Matsuzaka. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: BOSTON 0 OAKLAND 2 BOTTOM, 8TH DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: N Swisher (.298, 2-FOR-3, RBI)</div>
AL: BOSTON at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - BOSTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 OAKLAND 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 8 1 (TOP 9) CURRENT PITCHERS: BOS - JAVIER LOPEZ OAK - COLBY LEWIS DUE UP FOR BOSTON: K YOUKILIS (.343, 0-FOR-2, BB) M LOWELL (.332, 1-FOR-3) J VARITEK (.276, 0-FOR-2, BB)</div>
AL: BOSTON at OAKLAND <div class="pre">BOSTON (0) VS OAKLAND (2) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS BOSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg J Lugo ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .225 D Pedroia 2b 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .329 D Ortiz dh 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .332 M Ramirez lf 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 .283 K Youkilis 1b 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 .343 M Lowell 3b 3 0 1 0 0 0 4 .332 J Varitek c 2 0 0 0 1 1 1 .276 W Pena rf 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 .237 C Crisp cf 3 0 0 0 0 0 4 .233 Totals 22 0 3 0 7 1 16 BATTING: S - D Pedroia. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Lowell 2, J Lugo 1. GIDP - C Crisp 2, M Lowell, K Youkilis. Team LOB - 7. FIELDING: DP: 1 (J Varitek-J Lugo). OAKLAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg T Buck lf 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .252 M Ellis 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .264 N Swisher rf 3 0 2 1 0 1 1 .298 D Johnson 1b 4 0 1 0 0 1 4 .292 E Chavez 3b 4 1 2 1 0 2 2 .242 B Crosby ss 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .244 J Cust dh 3 0 1 0 1 2 4 .225 M Kotsay cf 4 0 0 0 0 3 6 .105 J Kendall c 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 .191 Totals 31 2 8 2 3 10 21 BATTING: 2B - N Swisher (12, D Matsuzaka). HR - E Chavez (9, 4th inning off D Matsuzaka 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - E Chavez (28), N Swisher (34). 2-out RBI - N Swisher. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Kotsay 2, D Johnson 3. Team LOB - 9. BASERUNNING: SB - M Ellis (3, 2nd base off D Matsuzaka/J Varitek). CS - J Cust (2, 2nd base by D Matsuzaka/J Varitek). FIELDING: E - B Crosby (8, ground ball). DP: 5 (D Johnson-B Crosby, B Crosby-M Ellis-D Johnson, E Chavez-M Ellis-D Johnson, E Chavez-D Johnson 2). ---------------------------------------------------- BOSTON - 000 000 00 -- 0 OAKLAND - 000 110 00 -- 2 ---------------------------------------------------- BOSTON ip h r er bb so hr era D Matsuzaka 7 7 2 2 2 8 1 4.63 J Lopez 1 1 0 0 1 2 0 3.21 OAKLAND ip h r er bb so hr era L DiNardo 6 2 0 0 6 0 0 1.45 K Calero 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 6.23 J Marshall 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.16 C Lewis 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 12.86 HBP - D Pedroia (by J Marshall); N Swisher (by J Lopez). Pitches-strikes: D Matsuzaka 129-77; J Lopez 30-18; L DiNardo 89-43; K Calero 21-13; J Marshall 8-4; C Lewis 2-1. Ground balls-fly balls: D Matsuzaka 3-9; J Lopez 1-0; L DiNardo 15-3; K Calero 0-2; J Marshall 0-1; C Lewis 0-1. Batters faced: D Matsuzaka 29; J Lopez 6; L DiNardo 23; K Calero 5; J Marshall 2; C Lewis 1. UMPIRES: HP--Paul Emmel. 1B--Dan Iassogna. 2B--Ron Kulpa. 3B--Dale Scott. Weather: 63 degrees, clear. Wind: 24 mph, out to right.</div>
AL: BOSTON at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - PITCHING CHANGE OAK: ALAN EMBREE (0-0, 3.55) STARTING THE 9TH CURRENT SCORE: BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 2 DUE UP FOR BOSTON: K YOUKILIS (.343, 0-FOR-2)</div>
AL: BOSTON at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: A Embree relieved C Lewis. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: BOSTON 0 OAKLAND 2 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR BOSTON: K Youkilis (.343, 0-FOR-2)</div>
AL: BOSTON at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - BOSTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 OAKLAND 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 x 2 8 1 (FINAL) BATTERIES: BOS - DAISUKE MATSUZAKA, JAVIER LOPEZ (8TH) AND JASON VARITEK OAK - LENNY DINARDO, KIKO CALERO (7TH), JAY MARSHALL (8TH), COLBY LEWIS (8TH), ALAN EMBREE (9TH) AND JASON KENDALL HOME RUNS: BOS - NONE OAK - ERIC CHAVEZ (9) OFF DAISUKE MATSUZAKA IN THE 4TH, 0 ON</div>
AL: BOSTON at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - BOSTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 OAKLAND 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 x 2 8 1 (FINAL) BATTERIES: BOS - DAISUKE MATSUZAKA, JAVIER LOPEZ (8TH) AND JASON VARITEK OAK - LENNY DINARDO, KIKO CALERO (7TH), JAY MARSHALL (8TH), COLBY LEWIS (8TH), ALAN EMBREE (9TH) AND JASON KENDALL WP - LENNY DINARDO (2-2) LP - DAISUKE MATSUZAKA (7-4) SAVE - ALAN EMBREE (5) HOME RUNS: BOS - NONE OAK - ERIC CHAVEZ (9) OFF DAISUKE MATSUZAKA IN THE 4TH, 0 ON TIME: 2:53 ATT: 31,127 PROBABLES: BOS - TIM WAKEFIELD (5-6, 4.24) OAK - JOE KENNEDY (1-4, 3.30)</div>
AL: BOSTON at OAKLAND <div class="pre">BOSTON (0) VS OAKLAND (2) - FINAL BOSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg J Lugo ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .225 D Pedroia 2b 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .329 D Ortiz dh 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .332 M Ramirez lf 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 .283 K Youkilis 1b 3 0 0 0 1 0 3 .341 M Lowell 3b 4 0 1 0 0 0 4 .330 J Varitek c 3 0 0 0 1 2 1 .275 W Pena rf 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 .237 C Crisp cf 3 0 0 0 0 0 4 .233 Totals 25 0 3 0 7 2 16 BATTING: S - D Pedroia. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Lowell 2, J Lugo 1. GIDP - C Crisp 2, M Lowell, K Youkilis. Team LOB - 7. FIELDING: DP: 1 (J Varitek-J Lugo). OAKLAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg T Buck lf 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .252 M Ellis 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .264 N Swisher rf 3 0 2 1 0 1 1 .298 D Johnson 1b 4 0 1 0 0 1 4 .292 E Chavez 3b 4 1 2 1 0 2 2 .242 B Crosby ss 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .244 J Cust dh 3 0 1 0 1 2 4 .225 M Kotsay cf 4 0 0 0 0 3 6 .105 J Kendall c 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 .191 Totals 31 2 8 2 3 10 21 BATTING: 2B - N Swisher (12, D Matsuzaka). HR - E Chavez (9, 4th inning off D Matsuzaka 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - E Chavez (28), N Swisher (34). 2-out RBI - N Swisher. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Kotsay 2, D Johnson 3. Team LOB - 9. BASERUNNING: SB - M Ellis (3, 2nd base off D Matsuzaka/J Varitek). CS - J Cust (2, 2nd base by D Matsuzaka/J Varitek). FIELDING: E - B Crosby (8, ground ball). DP: 5 (D Johnson-B Crosby, B Crosby-M Ellis-D Johnson, E Chavez-M Ellis-D Johnson, E Chavez-D Johnson 2). ---------------------------------------------------- BOSTON - 000 000 000 -- 0 OAKLAND - 000 110 00x -- 2 ---------------------------------------------------- BOSTON ip h r er bb so hr era D Matsuzaka (L, 7-4) 7 7 2 2 2 8 1 4.63 J Lopez 1 1 0 0 1 2 0 3.21 OAKLAND ip h r er bb so hr era L DiNardo (W, 2-2) 6 2 0 0 6 0 0 1.45 K Calero (H, 8) 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 6.23 J Marshall (H, 8) 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.16 C Lewis (H, 2) 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 12.86 A Embree (S, 5) 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.42 HBP - D Pedroia (by J Marshall); N Swisher (by J Lopez). Pitches-strikes: D Matsuzaka 129-77; J Lopez 30-18; L DiNardo 89-43; K Calero 21-13; J Marshall 8-4; C Lewis 2-1; A Embree 11-7. Ground balls-fly balls: D Matsuzaka 3-9; J Lopez 1-0; L DiNardo 15-3; K Calero 0-2; J Marshall 0-1; C Lewis 0-1; A Embree 1-1. Batters faced: D Matsuzaka 29; J Lopez 6; L DiNardo 23; K Calero 5; J Marshall 2; C Lewis 1; A Embree 3. UMPIRES: HP--Paul Emmel. 1B--Dan Iassogna. 2B--Ron Kulpa. 3B--Dale Scott. T--2:53. Att--31,127. Weather: 63 degrees, clear. Wind: 24 mph, out to right.</div>
AL: BOSTON at OAKLAND <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BOSTON (0) AT OAKLAND (2) - HOW THEY SCORED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OAKLAND 4TH: E Chavez homered to left center. B Crosby grounded out to third. J Cust walked. M Kotsay struck out swinging. J Cust caught stealing second, catcher to shortstop.(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 1. OAKLAND 5TH: J Kendall walked. T Buck struck out swinging. M Ellis flied out to left. N Swisher doubled to left, J Kendall scored. D Johnson struck out looking. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 2.</div>
AL: BOSTON at OAKLAND <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BOSTON (0) AT OAKLAND (2) - EVENT LOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Boston Starting Lineups -- J Lugo SS, D Pedroia 2B, D Ortiz DH, M Ramirez LF, K Youkilis 1B, M Lowell 3B, J Varitek C, W Pena RF, C Crisp CF, D Matsuzaka RHP. Oakland Starting Lineups -- T Buck LF, M Ellis 2B, N Swisher RF, D Johnson 1B, E Chavez 3B, B Crosby SS, J Cust DH, M Kotsay CF, J Kendall C, L DiNardo LHP. Umpires -- Paul Emmel (HP), Dan Iassogna (1B), Ron Kulpa (2B), Dale Scott (3B). Gametime Weather: 63 degrees, Clear, wind out to right at 24 mph. BOSTON 1ST: J Lugo singled to left. D Pedroia sacrificed to pitcher, J Lugo to second. D Ortiz grounded out to second, J Lugo to third. M Ramirez walked. K Youkilis walked, M Ramirez to second. M Lowell flied out to left. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 0. OAKLAND 1ST: T Buck flied out to center. M Ellis singled to right. N Swisher struck out swinging, M Ellis stole second. D Johnson fouled out to third. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 0. BOSTON 2ND: J Varitek walked. W Pena lined out to center. C Crisp grounded into double play, first to shortstop, J Varitek out at second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 0. OAKLAND 2ND: E Chavez struck out looking. B Crosby lined out to right. J Cust singled to right. M Kotsay struck out looking. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 0. BOSTON 3RD: J Lugo grounded out to shortstop. D Pedroia grounded out to second. D Ortiz grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 0. OAKLAND 3RD: J Kendall grounded out to second. T Buck singled to center. M Ellis fouled out to catcher. N Swisher singled to right, T Buck to third. D Johnson flied out to center. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 0. BOSTON 4TH: M Ramirez grounded out to shortstop. K Youkilis safe at first on error by shortstop B Crosby. M Lowell grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, K Youkilis out at second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 1 Error) BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 0. OAKLAND 4TH: E Chavez homered to left center. B Crosby grounded out to third. J Cust walked. M Kotsay struck out swinging. J Cust caught stealing second, catcher to shortstop.(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 1. BOSTON 5TH: J Varitek grounded out to third. W Pena walked. C Crisp grounded into double play, third to second to first, W Pena out at second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 1. OAKLAND 5TH: J Kendall walked. T Buck struck out swinging. M Ellis flied out to left. N Swisher doubled to left, J Kendall scored. D Johnson struck out looking. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 2. BOSTON 6TH: J Lugo lined out to second. D Pedroia walked. D Ortiz singled to left, D Pedroia to second. M Ramirez walked, D Pedroia to third, D Ortiz to second. K Youkilis grounded into double play, third to first, D Ortiz out at third.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 2. OAKLAND 6TH: E Chavez singled to center. B Crosby lined out to shortstop. J Cust struck out swinging. M Kotsay struck out looking. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 2. BOSTON 7TH: K Calero relieved L DiNardo. M Lowell singled to center. J Varitek struck out looking. W Pena walked, M Lowell to second. C Crisp fouled out to left. J Lugo popped out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 2. OAKLAND 7TH: J Kendall lined out to second. T Buck grounded out to shortstop. M Ellis fouled out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 2. BOSTON 8TH: J Marshall relieved K Calero. D Pedroia hit by pitch. D Ortiz popped into double play, third to first, D Pedroia doubled off first. C Lewis relieved J Marshall. M Ramirez flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 2. OAKLAND 8TH: J Lopez relieved D Matsuzaka. N Swisher hit by pitch. D Johnson singled to right center, N Swisher to third. E Chavez struck out swinging. B Crosby walked, D Johnson to second. J Cust struck out looking. M Kotsay grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, B Crosby out at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 2. BOSTON 9TH: A Embree relieved C Lewis. K Youkilis grounded out to second. M Lowell flied out to left. J Varitek struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, OAKLAND 2.</div>
Chavez continues to torment Red Sox pitching <h3>OAKLAND 2, BOSTON 0</h3>OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Eric Chavez continued to ruinthe Boston Red Sox road trip. Chavez homered and Lenny DiNardo and the bullpen held the RedSox in check as the Oakland Athletics defeated Boston, 2-0, onTuesday. After ending Monday's game in dramatic fashion with a walk-offblast in the 11th inning, Chavez struck early this time bydepositing an 0-2 offering from Daisuke Matsuzaka into the leftfield bleachers in the fourth inning for a 1-0 edge. NickSwisher completed the scoring in the fifth with a two-out doublescoring Jason Kendall from first. The Red Sox, who still own the best record in baseball (37-20),have lost a season-high three straight and five of their lastsix games. They have dropped seven of their last eight conteststo Oakland. DiNardo, who was claimed off waivers by Oakland in the offseasonafter spending parts of the last three seasons with Boston, wasmaking just his second start after 11 relief appearances. Thelefthander struggled through six innings, throwing 89 pitchesand walking six, but held his former team to just two hits. Matsuzaka, who signed a six-year, $52 million deal with Bostonduring the offseason, struggled in his last two starts, allowing11 runs in 10 2/3 innings. In his first career start againstthe Athletics, the righthander labored through seven inningsyielding seven hits, but limited the damage to two runs. Boston threatened in the first but failed to capitalize whenJulio Lugo led off with single and Manny Ramirez and KevinYoukilis walked to load the bases with two out. However, MikeLowell popped up to left, ending the threat. The Sox missed another opportunity in the sixth when DiNardowalked Dustin Pedroia, surrendered a single to David Ortiz, andissued a free pass to Ramirez to load the bases. Chavez thenfielded Kevin Youkilis' sharp ground ball, stepped on third andnailed Youkilis at first to compete the double play and end theinning. Three Oakland relievers bridged the gap to Alan Embree, whorecorded his fifth save in six opportunities in the ninth. The Athletics, who have won a season-high tying four consecutivegames, moved to three games over .500 (30-27) for the firsttime this season.
Chavez continues to torment Red Sox pitching <h3>OAKLAND 2, BOSTON 0</h3>OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Eric Chavez continued to ruinthe Boston Red Sox's road trip. Chavez homered and Lenny DiNardo and the bullpen held the RedSox in check as the Oakland Athletics defeated Boston, 2-0, onTuesday. After ending Monday's game in dramatic fashion with a walk-offblast in the 11th inning, Chavez struck early this time bydepositing an 0-2 offering from Daisuke Matsuzaka into the leftfield bleachers in the fourth inning for a 1-0 edge. NickSwisher completed the scoring in the fifth with a two-out doublescoring Jason Kendall from first. <div class="pre">"He's (Chavez) has been on fire lately," Swisher said. "He's going to do his thing, like he did tonight. If we get him to continue to hit like he did tonight, we're going to be just fine."</div> "He's just feels better physically right now," Athletics manager Bob Geren said. "That, plus he's a great player. Combine those two and he's going to continue get some big hits for sure." Seven of Chavez's nine home runs this year have come with two strikes. "After getting ahead of him 0-2, Tek (catcher Jason Varitek) called for a fastball high and inside," Matsuzaka said through an interpreter. "I left it over the middle of the plate and that was my mistake. I think it was a preventable home run." The Red Sox, who still own the best record in baseball (37-20),have lost a season-high three straight and five of their lastsix games. They have dropped seven of their last eight conteststo Oakland. "The Red Sox are not a team that tends to lose many games in a row," Matsuzaka said. "I definitely felt a sense of urgency to stop the skid." DiNardo, who was claimed off waivers by Oakland in the offseasonafter spending parts of the last three seasons with Boston, wasmaking just his second start after 11 relief appearances. Thelefthander struggled through six innings, throwing 89 pitchesand walking six, but held his former team to just two hits. "It's gratifying to get the 'W'," DiNardo said. "Especially against those guys, because they are such a solid ballclub. I tried not to look at who they were. I went to battle with those guys the last few years, and if I looked at their faces, it wasn't going to help me at all. I just tried to look at the blue and red uniforms and make my pitches." "Like many guys on this team he's been given a chance do to injuries," Geren said. "He's been able to take advantage if it. That's exactly what we need. It's going to take everyone to win, and tonight was a great example." Matsuzaka, who signed a six-year, $52 million deal with Bostonduring the offseason, struggled in his last two starts, allowing11 runs in 10 2/3 innings. In his first career start againstthe Athletics, the righthander labored through seven inningsyielding seven hits, but limited the damage to two runs. Matsuzaka threw 130 pitches which are the most by a Sox pitcher since Curt Schilling tossed 133 on April 25, 2006 at Cleveland. "They made him work hard," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "Seven innings, two runs. More often than not we're patting him on the back and saying great effort. When you put up a zero though offensively, it's tough. Tonight was a night of offensive frustration, not troubled pitching." Boston threatened in the first but failed to capitalize whenJulio Lugo led off with single and Manny Ramirez and KevinYoukilis walked to load the bases with two out. However, MikeLowell popped up to left, ending the threat. The Sox missed another opportunity in the sixth when DiNardowalked Dustin Pedroia, surrendered a single to David Ortiz, andissued a free pass to Ramirez to load the bases. Chavez thenfielded Kevin Youkilis' sharp ground ball, stepped on third andnailed Youkilis at first to compete the double play and end theinning. "We certainly had chances," Francona said. "We worked the count, and hit into numerous double plays. The scoreboard certainly shows the affect of that." Three Oakland relievers bridged the gap to Alan Embree, whorecorded his fifth save in six opportunities in the ninth. The Athletics, who have won a season-high tying four consecutivegames, moved to three games over .500 (30-27) for the firsttime this season.
Chavez continues to torment Red Sox pitching <h3>OAKLAND 2, BOSTON 0</h3>OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Eric Chavez continued to ruinthe Boston Red Sox's road trip. Chavez homered and Lenny DiNardo and the bullpen held the RedSox in check as the Oakland Athletics defeated Boston, 2-0, onTuesday. After ending Monday's game in dramatic fashion with a walk-offblast in the 11th inning, Chavez struck early this time bydepositing an 0-2 offering from Daisuke Matsuzaka into the leftfield bleachers in the fourth inning for a 1-0 edge. Nick Swisher completed the scoring in the fifth with a two-outdouble scoring Jason Kendall from first. "He's (Chavez) has been on fire lately," Swisher said. "He's<div class="pre">going to do his thing, like he did tonight. If we get him to</div>continue to hit like he did tonight, we're going to be justfine." "He's just feels better physically right now," Athletics managerBob Geren said. "That, plus he's a great player. Combine thosetwo and he's going to continue get some big hits for sure." Seven of Chavez's nine home runs this year have come with twostrikes. "After getting ahead of him 0-2, Tek (catcher Jason Varitek)called for a fastball high and inside," Matsuzaka said throughan interpreter. "I left it over the middle of the plate andthat was my mistake. I think it was a preventable home run." The Red Sox, who still own the best record in baseball (37-20),have lost a season-high three straight and five of their lastsix games. They have dropped seven of their last eight conteststo Oakland. "The Red Sox are not a team that tends to lose many games in arow," Matsuzaka said. "I definitely felt a sense of urgency tostop the skid." DiNardo, who was claimed off waivers by Oakland in the offseasonafter spending parts of the last three seasons with Boston, wasmaking just his second start after 11 relief appearances. Thelefthander struggled through six innings, throwing 89 pitchesand walking six, but held his former team to just two hits. "It's gratifying to get the W," DiNardo said. "Especiallyagainst those guys, because they are such a solid ballclub. Itried not to look at who they were. I went to battle with thoseguys the last few years, and if I looked at their faces, itwasn't going to help me at all. I just tried to look at theblue and red uniforms and make my pitches." "Like many guys on this team he's been given a chance due toinjuries," Geren said. "He's been able to take advantage if it.That's exactly what we need. It's going to take everyone towin, and tonight was a great example." Matsuzaka, who signed a six-year, $52 million deal with Bostonduring the offseason, struggled in his last two starts, allowing11 runs in 10 2/3 innings. In his first career start againstthe Athletics, the righthander labored through seven innings,yielding seven hits, but limited the damage to two runs. Matsuzaka threw 130 pitches, which are the most by a Bostonpitcher since Curt Schilling tossed 133 on April 25, 2006, atCleveland. "They made him work hard," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said."Seven innings, two runs. More often than not we're patting him<div class="pre">on the back and saying, 'Great effort.' When you put up a</div>zero, though, offensively, it's tough. Tonight was a night ofoffensive frustration, not troubled pitching." Boston threatened in the first but failed to capitalize whenJulio Lugo led off with single and Manny Ramirez and KevinYoukilis walked to load the bases with two out. However, MikeLowell popped up to left, ending the threat. The Sox missed another opportunity in the sixth when DiNardowalked Dustin Pedroia, surrendered a single to David Ortiz andissued a free pass to Ramirez to load the bases. Chavez thenfielded Kevin Youkilis' sharp ground ball, stepped on third andnailed Youkilis at first to compete the double play and end theinning. "We certainly had chances," Francona said. "We worked thecount, and hit into numerous double plays. The scoreboardcertainly shows the effect of that." Three Oakland relievers bridged the gap to Alan Embree, whorecorded his fifth save in six opportunities in the ninth. TheAthletics, who have won a season high-tying four consecutivegames, moved to three games over .500 (30-27) for the first timethis season.
