Boston @ Oakland preview
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Last Meeting ( May 11, 2015 ) Boston 5, Oakland 4
Pablo Sandoval is used to hitting homers on the San Francisco side of the bay but found the East Bay also to his liking in Boston’s opener of a three-game series at Oakland. Sandoval, formerly of the Giants, drilled a tiebreaking homer to right field in the top of the 11th inning to give the Red Sox a 5-4 victory and hopes for more success when the teams resume their set on Tuesday.
The player often referred to as "Panda" joined Boston as a free agent and hit just two homers in his first 28 games before belting one in each of the last two contests. Sandoval’s blast gave the Red Sox their second straight victory following a stretch during which they lost seven of eight games. Oakland has dropped six straight and fell 10 games below .500 for the worst record in the American League. The Athletics are 1-11 in one-run games and 0-6 in extra-inning affairs.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), CSN California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Justin Masterson (2-1, 5.18 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Drew Pomeranz (1-3, 5.12)
Masterson lost his last turn to extend his winless stretch to three starts. He pitched a season-low 4 1/3 innings against Tampa Bay on Wednesday while allowing four runs and seven hits. Masterson is 2-7 with a 6.61 ERA in 14 career appearances (10 starts) against Oakland.
Pomeranz has lost three consecutive decisions as part of five winless outings since posting his lone victory on April 10. He also pitched a season-low 4 1/3 innings in his last turn, when he gave up six runs (four earned) and three hits while losing to Minnesota on Thursday. Pomeranz has a 2.70 ERA in two career relief appearances against Boston.
WALK-OFFS
1. Athletics 1B Ike Davis departed the series opener with a left quadriceps injury and is doubtful to play Tuesday.
2. Boston CF Mookie Betts went 2-for-5 on Monday to extend his hitting streak to nine games.
3. Oakland DH Billy Butler is batting .209 with 13 strikeouts in 43 career at-bats against Masterson.
PREDICTION: Red Sox 10, Athletics 5