Lackluster Red Sox Sadly Swept Away By Athletics

It was supposed to be a road trip that saw the Red Sox gain ground in the AL East, heading west to take on the lowly Seattle Mariners and offensively challenged Oakland A’s.  But a split in Seattle and then watching the A’s take the first two made the finale of the series somewhat of a pressing matter for the Olde Towne Team.  But that didn’t seem to matter in this one as the A’s completed the sweep with another 3-2 win on Wednesday.

The offense was almost non-existent…..again.  Only 3 hits, 3 measly hits is all this group could muster against the youngster A.J Griffin.  One of those hits was the 400th career home run by David Ortiz, a bomb to right field that was recognized by the sellout Oakland crowd with a classy standing ovation during his next trip to the plate.  Adrian Gonzalez stretched his hitting streak to fifteen games while collecting the second RBI for the Sox, while callup Mauro Gomez doubled on his first at bat.  But that was it.  The boys only struck out four times so in short it was a lackluster affair.

The entire road trip was that way as the Red Sox only scored 14 runs on 48 hits during the seven game swing out west.  An average of 2 runs per game won’t win you many games, especially given the Red Sox starters are ranked near the bottom of the AL in ERA.

Aaron Cook got the nod to give Franklin Morales a chance to help the bullpen out with another left handed arm and for the record Cook was decent.  He went 6+ innings giving up 3 runs on 9 hits, walking 1 and striking out no one.  A respectable start for Cook who now has a 2-2 record with a 4.37 ERA.

Maybe they’re saving an outburst to lay a smack down on the Yankees during the next four games at home.  This club was on a roll when they left Fenway taking 7 of 9 before embarking on their road trip so let’s hope, no let’s pray that a return home will kick start this offense.  Otherwise the all-star break could give us all way too much time to discuss how this club is all but out of the division. This sweep hurts, really hurts.