Although the A’s are still long shots to win the AL West, their starting pitching has been as good as anybody this year. In fact, their starting pitcher’s collective ERA is the lowest such ERA in the MLB since 1989. The dominance continued today with Trevor Cahill shutting down the Red Sox over seven innings as the A’s won 5-0.
The A’s offense gave Cahill some quick support putting up three runs in the first and two runs in the second while chasing Clay Buchholz after 39 pitches. Buchholz came into the game leading the American League in ERA but was handled fairly easily by the Oakland A’s normally soft offense. Kurt Suzuki knocked in two runs on a double in the first, while Daric Barton knocked in two more with a single in the second.
The Red Sox bullpen was dominant the rest of the way but it didn’t matter as Trevor Cahill, Craig Breslow and Henry Rodriguez took care of business. Cahill went seven innings, holding the Red Sox to three hits and two walks. The Red Sox had two chances at scoring, but came up short both times. Coco Crisp robbed Ryan Kalish of a leadoff home run at the beginning of the game. The Red Sox put men on second and third with two outs in the second but couldn’t get anybody win. Other than that they never got past first base.
Unfortunately the Rangers pulled out a 6-5 victory in the 13th inning, leaving the A’s seven games back of first. The A’s will look to gain ground tomorrow night as they send out Brett Anderson to face John Lackey.