Red Sox scratch across run in 11th, squeak by A's

Field Level Media|published: Wed 3rd April, 01:17 2024

Apr 2, 2024; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (23) hits a two-run home run against the Boston Red Sox during the second inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. credits: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Red Sox pushed across the game-winning run on a double play in the 11th inning to edge the host Oakland Athletics 5-4 on Tuesday night.

With Mitch Spence (0-1) on the mound and automatic runner Wilyer Abreu on second, Boston's Reese McGuire singled to left, moving Abreu to third.

Tyler O'Neill then hit a sharp grounder to Oakland third baseman J.D. Davis, who opted to turn an around-the-horn double play that scored Abreu for the go-ahead run.

Josh Winckowski (1-0) struck out two in a scoreless bottom of the 11th to earn the win for Boston. Winckowski didn't allow a hit in his two innings of relief.

Both teams squandered chances to win in the 10th. The Athletics' automatic runner, Ryan Noda, reached third on Zack Gelof's sacrifice bunt, but he was later caught in a rundown after a comebacker by Davis.

In the top of the frame, Mason Miller had struck out Abreu and Connor Wong with two runners on.

The Red Sox tied the game in the top of the seventh at 4-4 on Trevor Story's two-out RBI single off reliever Lucas Erceg, scoring Jarren Duran, who had singled.

JJ Bleday had put the A's ahead 4-3 with two outs in the bottom of the third, driving a changeup from Boston right-hander Brayan Bello over the center field wall for his first homer of the year.

Boston went up 1-0 in the top of the first when Story doubled to drive in Rafael Devers. The Red Sox doubled their lead an inning later when Triston Casas singled and scored on Duran's single to center.

Oakland tied things at 2-all in the bottom of the second thanks to Shea Langeliers' solo shot.

The visitors went back on top, 3-2, in the third after A's left-hander Alex Wood walked O'Neill, who went to second on Devers' single and scored on Pablo Reyes' base hit.

Neither starter earned a decision. Wood gave up three runs on six hits in five-plus innings, walking two and striking out seven, while Bello went five innings and allowed four runs and five hits. Bello walked one and fanned six.

—Field Level Media

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