Red Sox Need Offense to Awaken After Punchless Performance in Series Opener

Their playoff hopes dwindled even more by a miserable debut to their road trip, the Red Sox search for some kind of life when they take on the Oakland Athletics on Saturday.

A 5-0 setback on Friday, the Sox’ third straight at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, reduced Tampa Bay’s magic number to 15 to clinch the wild card.

Boston had just three hits Friday. It had scored 28 runs in a three-game series at Fenway Park before the trip began.

John Lackey, who has owned the A’s in his career, opposes Oakland lefty Brett Anderson.

WHEN AND WHERE

Red Sox (78-63) at Athletics (70-70)
Saturday, Sept. 11, 9:05 p.m. NESN
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

HEAD TO HEAD

The Sox are 9-18 in Oakland since 2005.

PITCHING MATCHUP

RHP John Lackey (12-9, 4.48 ERA) vs. LHP Brett Anderson (4-6, 2.97 ERA)

After what happened to Clay Buchholz in the series opener, the Red Sox could use a favorable matchup. They might have it in Lackey, who has thoroughly enjoyed his meetings with the A’s.

In 30 career starts against Oakland, Lackey is 17-4 with a 2.86 ERA, easily the best marks he has against an American League opponent. He is 8-3 with an identical ERA in the Coliseum.

Injuries have marred an otherwise solid season for Anderson, but he finally may be finding an uninterrupted groove. He has allowed two earned runs or less while lasting at least six innings in six of his last seven starts.

Anderson gave up two runs in two innings at Fenway Park on June 3 before leaving with a sore elbow.

LINEUPS

STAT SHEET

Red Sox

• Boston’s three hits Friday were just one more than a season low.
• Outfielder Josh Reddick is 5-for-10 since being recalled Monday.
• Outfielder Darnell McDonald is the only major leaguer with at least nine homers and nine sacrifice hits.

Athletics

• Outfielder Coco Crisp is 8-for-12 with two homers, seven RBIs and four stolen bases in his last four games.
• Catcher Kurt Suzuki has seven RBIs in seven games vs. Boston this year.
• Right-hander Trevor Cahill is 10-2 with a 1.58 ERA in 13 home starts.

BLACK AND BLUE

Red Sox

• Second baseman Dustin Pedroia had season-ending surgery Sept. 3 on his broken left foot. He is expected to be fully healed for spring training.
• Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (ribs) will not resume any baseball-related activities until after the season ends.
• Center fielder Mike Cameron had season-ending surgery Friday to repair an abdominal tear.
• First baseman Kevin Youkilis had successful surgery to repair the torn right adductor muscle on his right hand. He will miss the remainder of the season.
• Left-hander Felix Doubront has pain behind his left clavicle. He has not pitched since Aug. 31 and will not join the team on the trip.
• Right-hander Junichi Tazawa underwent Tommy John surgery in March. He is out for the year.

Athletics

• Third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff could miss several more days with back spasms.
• Outfielder Conor Jackson is on the DL after surgery to repair a sports hernia.
• Infielder Adam Rosales is on the DL with a stress fracture in his right ankle.
• Right-hander Joey Devine may return this month. He had Tommy John surgery in April 2009.
• Right-hander Josh Outman also had Tommy John surgery last year and may start pitching in an instructional league soon.
• Designated hitter Eric Chavez will miss the rest of the season with bulging neck disks.
• Right-hander Ben Sheets is out for the year with a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow.
• Outfielder Ryan Sweeney had season-ending surgery on his right knee on July 7.
• Right-hander Justin Duchscherer had season-ending surgery on his left hip on June 7.

OUTLOOK

Let’s just say it doesn’t look good.