Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - A.J. Griffin pitched seven strong innings and
the Oakland Athletics won their eighth in a row and shut down the frustrated
Boston Red Sox for a second straight night, 7-1, in the second portion of a
three-game series.
Coming off a 20-2 loss on Friday, the Red Sox tied a season-high with their
fifth consecutive defeat, and tempers boiled over in the dugout.
Alfredo Aceves, who was suspended three games last month reportedly for
slamming the door to manager Bobby Valentine's office at Fenway Park. had a
night to forget. The right-hander dropped a foul pop-up in the fourth inning
and then got into a verbal spat in the dugout with second baseman Dustin
Pedroia.
Aceves pitched three innings in relief of Felix Doubront (10-7), who fell to
0-3 over his last six starts and hasn't won since July 18.
Coco Crisp had three hits, including a homer to start the bottom of the first
inning, as the A's established a season-best winning streak and climbed within
three games of Texas for first place in the AL West.
Brandon Inge had a two-run double and Derek Norris also drove in a pair. Inge,
who was activated from the disabled list earlier Saturday, aggravated a right
shoulder injury and was forced from the contest after the third inning.
Griffin (4-0) retired the first 14 batters until Jarrod Saltalamacchia bunted
for a hit. Griffin allowed two more hits and a run while fanned five. Pat
Neshek pitched the final two frames.
The Sports Network