There was hope that the starting pitching would help offset the worst offensive slump of the season. While Daisuke Matsuzaka was excellent in the opener, Tim Wakefield blew a 4-0 lead and Clay Buchholz went just four-plus innings in his return from the disabled list.
We noted that Oakland had become a tough place to play for Boston. That remains the case as the club is now 9-17 in Oakland over the past six years. And while we knew that Buchholz's presence would instantly make the Sox' rotation a more formidable one, it was clear he still has some rust to shake off.
Here are three other results of another losing series in Oakland.
Yo, Adrian!
Perhaps the lone bright spot in the set was third baseman Adrian Beltre, who awoke out of a bit of a rough patch to destroy A's pitching. He was 8-for-13 with two homers in the set and now has four home runs in his last nine games.
Beltre carries the hot streak into the city he called home from 2005-09. He hit at least 25 home runs in three of those seasons for the Mariners.
The Home Run Derby Curse?
There is always concern when a hot hitter takes part in the annual Home Run Derby, fear that it might destroy his swing. The more David Ortiz continues to struggle, the more that theory will be brought up.
The Red Sox' designated hitter, who won the derby in Anaheim, is 3-for-26 (.115) with 10 strikeouts since the break. It is a slump akin to the atrocious start he had back in April.
Jed's Not Dead
The return of infielder Jed Lowrie may not seem like much relative to the other big names who are hoping to come back from injury, but it could have ramifications going forward.
Lowrie provides the Sox some necessary infield depth. Upon being activated Wednesday, he went 1-for-2 with two walks and gave Marco Scutaro a much-needed breather.
