There aren’t many worse ways to lose a baseball game than what the Boston Red Sox did Sunday in Oakland.
Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez spun a gem, no-hitting the Athletics for 7 2/3 innings and losing it on a challenge on the third out of the eighth inning. But unfortunately for Rodriguez, the Red Sox couldn’t score through nine frames, and it was up to Craig Kimbrel to take the game to extras.
Instead, a walk to Danny Valencia and a double to Khris Davis gave the A’s the 1-0 walk-off win.
Here’s how it all went down.
GAME IN A WORD
Disappointing.
It’s rough to watch any pitcher lose a no-no — unless they’re pitching against your favorite team, of course — but it’s even worse when the team in question ends up losing a stellar start for that pitcher.
IT WAS OVER WHEN …
Kimbrel blew the ninth inning.
That was all it took for the Red Sox to lose this one.
ON THE BUMP
— Rodriguez had one of his best starts to date, no-hitting the A’s through 7 2/3Â innings and looking strong doing it. The left-hander lost the no-no with two outs in the eighth after shortstop Marcus Semien hit a ground ball off Rodriguez’s foot and ran out the play. Semien originally was called out, but the call was overturned on a challenge.
It was a strange way to lose a no-hitter, but Rodriguez still allowed only one hit with two walks and five strikeouts through eight scoreless innings.
— Kimbrel gave up the double to Davis to score Valencia, but the run was charged to Brock Holt, who bobbled the ball in left field.
IN THE BATTER’S BOX
— Dustin Pedroia continued to be a hitting machine, going 2-for-4 with two singles.
— Mookie Betts (1-for-4) and Sandy Leon (1-for-4) also picked up a hit each.
— Yoan Moncada singled in the third inning but was picked off at first base shortly after. The third baseman ultimately went 2-for-4.
— Xander Bogaerts (0-for-4), David Ortiz (0-for-2 with two walks), Hanley Ramirez (0-for-4), Brock Holt (0-for-4) and Jackie Bradley Jr. (0-for-3 with a walk) all went hitless.
TWEET OF THE NIGHT
Moncada seems to have been getting some rookie mistakes out of his system in Oakland.
UP NEXT
The Red Sox head to San Diego on Monday to start a three-game series with the Padres. Lefty Drew Pomeranz will start for Boston against Padres right-hander Edwin Jackson in the 4:40 p.m. ET contest.
Thumbnail photo via Neville E. Guard/USA TODAY Sports Images
