Red Sox at Athletics
Considering their outstanding start this season, it was only fitting that the Boston Red Sox had their eight-game winning streak end in historic fashion. Boston looks to bounce back from being on the wrong end of a no-hitter when it visits the Oakland Athletics on Sunday for the rubber match of their three-game series.
The Red Sox struck out 10 times against Sean Manaea in Saturday's 3-0 loss as they were victims of a no-hitter for the first time since April 22, 1993, when Seattle's Chris Bosio mastered them. Boston is 4-1 on its nine-game road trip, scoring a total of 34 runs while belting 13 homers in the victories, while Oakland improved to 5-1 in its last six contests thanks to Manaea's masterpiece - the 12th no-hitter in franchise history and first since Dallas Braden tossed a perfect game on May 9, 2010 against Tampa Bay. Jed Lowrie is on a tear as he has gone 15-for-32 during his seven-game hitting streak. The 34-year-old has driven in at least one run (12 total) during the string and has collected 16 RBIs over his last nine contests.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), NBCS California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH David Price (2-1, 2.25 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Daniel Mengden (2-2, 4.50)
Price limited the Los Angeles Angels to one run despite giving up three hits and four walks in five innings on Tuesday after working just one frame against the New York Yankees in his previous turn due to a "sensation" he felt in his left hand. The 32-year-old native of Tennessee has been superb on the road this year, going 2-0 while allowing one run and striking out 11 over 12 innings in two outings. Price has made nine career starts against Oakland, going 4-2 with a 3.13 ERA.
Mengden finally broke through at home on Monday, as he held the Chicago White Sox to one run over eight innings to record his first win in 11 career decisions at Oakland Coliseum. It was the longest outing of the season for the 25-year-old Texan, who has issued only three walks in 24 frames this year. Mengden made his only career start against Boston on Sept. 3, 2016, when he was battered for seven runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings en route to a loss.
WALK-OFFS
1. Athletics OF Stephen Piscotty delivered an RBI double on Saturday after having his eight-game hitting streak snapped in the series opener.
2. Boston SS Xander Bogaerts (ankle) is expected to begin a two-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday.
3. Oakland activated C Josh Phegley (fingers) from the disabled list and optioned him - along with RHP Josh Lucas - to Triple-A Nashville on Saturday while reinstating RHP Yusmeiro Petit from the family medical emergency list.