Buchholz, Sox Struggle as Athletics Take the Third Game 6-4

Boston, MA- After taking the early 1-0 lead in the first inning, the Boston Red Sox could not get anything done against Gio Gonzalez or the Oakland Athletics bullpen. They lost 6-4 and dropped the final two games of their first of three series out on the West Coast. Clay Buchholz (10-5) took the loss and Gio Gonzalez (9-6) got the win for Oakland.

Buchholz was just activated from the DL and was supposed to be on top of his game. However, he gave up two home runs early. One in the second inning to Matt Watson to tie the game 1-1 and one to Jack Cust in the third to give the A’s the lead 3-1. He struggled with his command all day the whole game and lasted only four innings. He gave up five runs and walked three. He left with runners on first and second in the fifth, which scored later in the fifth inning.

The Sox struck first when Adrian Beltre singled to center and Lowrie scored, making it 1-0 Sox.

The A’s then hot the home runs, which made it 3-1, Athletics now on top.

Lowrie then hit a ball into center, which scored Bill Hall. This cut the lead 3-2.

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The Athletics scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Mark Ellis singled off reliever Scott Atchison, which scored Kurt Suzuki. A’s were now up 4-2. Atchison threw a wild pitch during the next at bat, but struck out Watson. Rajai Davis, however, ended up hitting a single to center, which made the score 6-2. Davis was thrown out at second to end the inning.

The Sox answered back in the top of the sixth. First baseman Kevin Youkilis began the inning with a single to left. Beltre homered to left center off Gonzalez, which cut the lead to 6-4. J.D. Drew then singled off Gonzalez. However, Gonzalez got Mike Cameron to line out to right and Hall to ground into a double play.

The Sox never recovered and now head to Seattle to take the Mariners on for a four game set. The game starts at 10:05 EST at Safeco Field.

The Sox also got Jed Lowrie fresh off the DL and he started at shortstop. He went 1-2 with two walks and an RBI and even scored a run.

The Sox are now also 4.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card Race.

By: Brian Roach Jr.
ProBaseball-fans.com Red Sox Correspondent

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