Red Sox fans enraged after team gets shut-out in game vs Oakland Athletics: "Should count as 10 losses"
The Oakland Athletics snapped their eight-game losing streak after registering a shutout victory against a sluggish Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night. Boston fans were left seething after their side's underwhelming outing in the second match of the series.
It was the Oakland A's first victory against the Red Sox in five meetings this month and only their second shutout of the season.
It was a surprising performance from the visitors, following their 7-0 victory in the opener on the back of Nick Pivetta's historic outing.
Boston fans were fuming after the loss, not just because of the team's inability to score in the match but the fact they lost against one of the worst sides in the division at a crucial juncture of the season.
While several fans called out Boston's performance against a struggling A's side, others were quick to point out the side's squandered opportunity to take advantage of the other MLB results.
The result sets up an exciting series finale on Wednesday afternoon.
Red Sox succumbed to a disappointing loss despite Mark Kotsay's ejection
After a scoreless first inning from both teams, the Oakland A's grabbed the lead through 27-year-old first baseman Ryan Noda, who registered his 11th home run of the season.
Oakland's JJ Bleday followed with his sixth homer of the season to make it 3-0. Before the A's took the lead, the game witnessed a controversial moment in the first inning.
Oakland manager Mark Kotsay was ejected, for the fourth time this season, after he was involved in a heated argument with plate umpire Adam Hamari.
The incident unfolded after Hamari had chalked off the A's lead, deeming Tony Kemp had veered out of the baseline in his attempt to avoid Red Sox catcher Jorge Alfaro's tag at the plate.
Although three Red Sox relievers combined to hold Oakland scoreless, restricting them to just three hits over the final 6 2/3 innings, the damage was done in the second inning.
Right-hander Brayan Bello, who has impressed in recent outings, will be up against Oakland left-hander Ken Waldichuk in the series decider on Wednesday.
The club is looking to tie down Bello to a long-term contract, according to Red Sox assistant general manager Eddie Romero.