Athletics at Red Sox
After breaking even on their six-game road trip, the Boston Red Sox look to build off a solid victory when they begin a seven-game homestand with the opener of a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics on Monday. Boston avoided a three-game sweep in New York on Sunday as David Ortiz belted two of the team's four homers while Steven Wright tossed his first career complete game, coming within one out of a shutout in a 5-1 triumph.
Ortiz raised his home-run total with the Red Sox to 454, passing Carl Yastrzemski for second place on the franchise list, and his overall amount to 512 as he overtook Hall of Famer Mel Ott for 24th in major-league history. Oakland continues its nine-game road trip after losing two of three at Baltimore over the weekend, including an 11-3 setback on Sunday. Josh Reddick has been on fire of late, recording 10 hits in 12 at-bats while driving in a run in every game of the series against the Orioles and going 12-for-17 during his four-game hitting streak. Athletics pitchers will try to keep the ball in the park after serving up six home runs on Sunday - the club's highest total in a game since April 19, 1994.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Sonny Gray (3-3, 4.84 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Clay Buchholz (1-3, 5.71)
Gray looks to rebound from his second straight loss Tuesday when he was battered for seven runs and 11 hits in seven innings by Seattle. The 26-year-old native of Nashville lasted only two frames at Detroit in his previous outing as his quest for a third consecutive victory ended after yielding four runs on two hits and four walks. Gray has allowed only three runs over 13 innings in two career starts against Boston but was saddled with the loss in his only decision.
Buchholz is coming off his first win of the season, a triumph at Chicago on Wednesday in which he held the White Sox to two runs and three hits over seven innings. The 31-year-old Texan was roughed up for five runs in four of his first five turns this year and is 0-2 with a 5.00 ERA in three home outings. Buchholz has made eight career starts against Oakland, going 3-2 despite posting a 6.81 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Reddick has recorded a hit in eight consecutive at-bats, tying the franchise record.
2. Boston LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) made his third rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday and could be activated this week.
3. Oakland optioned RHP Jesse Hahn to Triple-A Nashville and recalled J.B. Wendelken, who was reached for four runs on four hits and a walk in 1 1/3 innings Sunday in his major-league debut.