Eduardo Rodriguez continued his resurgent post-All-Star Break run for the Red Sox in Oakland on Sunday, but his start didn’t come without a little intrigue – and potential controversy. The Red Sox eventually lost 1-0 on a walk-off double by Khris Davis, who benefitted from an error by left fielder Brock Holt.
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Red Sox reliever Craig Kimbrel faced just two batters in the ninth after taking over from Eduardo Rodriguez, who pitched 7 2/3 innings of no-hit ball.
Trying to complete Boston’s first no-hitter in eight years, Rodriguez stuck out his right leg to knock down Semien’s grounder in the eighth. Rodriguez booted the ball before throwing the ball to first base, where Semien was initially ruled out.
A’s manager Bob Melvin challenged the call, and it was quickly reversed on review.
Boston right-hander Rick Porcello carried a bid for a flawless game into the sixth inning of an 11-2 victory Saturday.
The Red Sox lefty was humming through almost eight no-hit innings of the best start of his young career and then. a little drama.
Boston right-hander Rick Porcello carried a bid for a flawless game into the sixth inning of an 11-2 victory Saturday.
Rodriguez retired Jake Smolinski on a grounder back to the mound to end the inning, and then was pulled before the start of the ninth.
Jon Lester tossed the most recent no-hitter for Boston on May 19, 2008, against Kansas City.
The win snapped a five-game losing streak.
“You know they’re going to put some good swings on you and today a couple of balls were hit hard right at people, and that helped us”, he said.
Ryan Madson (5-4) pitched the ninth for the win.
Davis and Semien had the only two hits for the A’s, who haven’t been no-hit since July 13, 1991, a stretch of 4.032 games that’s the longest in the majors.
Retiring Red Sox slugger David Ortiz received a standing ovation before his initial at-bat, when he struck out swinging to end the first. “He’s performing as well as he ever has”.
The scoreless day for the Red Sox came in stark contrast to their previous two games in Oakland, during which they scored a total of 27 runs.
The Red Sox had scored at least 11 runs in all five previous meetings this season. The Toronto Blue Jays (77-59), a victor at Tampa Bay earlier Sunday, moved a game ahead of the Red Sox.
Davis appreciated Graveman hanging tough for everybody. “And that showed up late in the game, so give him credit”.
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It was the only hit Rodriguez allowed in the game. For the next out, Betts hustled down a liner by Billy Butler – another great play behind Rodriguez.
