Boston Red Sox (5-11) @ Oakland Athletics (9-8)
Clay Buchholz (0-2, 6.60) vs. Gio Gonzalez (2-0, 0.47)
3:35 PM EDT | Oakland Coliseum (Oakland, California)
TV: NESN RADIO: WEEI 850, SBN 1510
INJURY REPORT
Boston: Matt Albers, strained lat muscle (placed on 15-day DL 4/8, currently on rehab in Pawtucket)
Oakland: Andrew Bailey, strained right forearm (placed on 15-day DL 3/30, retroactive to 3/22); Dallas Braden, stiff left shoulder (placed on 15-day DL 4/18, retroactive to 4/17); Michael Wuertz strained left hamstring (placed on 15-day DL 4/6)
GAME NOTES
I couldn’t resist using this great quote from Alfredo Aceves for today’s headline: “We are starting to flip the tortilla.” Despite last night’s deflating loss, I believe that to be true. Unfortunately, the aforementioned flipping is coming at the same time as meeting the A’s excellent young pitching staff. Last night: Brett Anderson. Tonight: Gio Gonzalez. In his three starts so far this season, Gonzalez has allowed a grand total of one run through 19 IP. The Red Sox have gotten solid starts four games in a row from Beckett, Lester, Matsuzaka and Lackey; maybe Buchholz can join the fun.
LINEUPS
Boston
Drew RF
Pedroia 2B
Gonzalez 1B
Youkilis DH
Lowrie 3B
Scutaro SS
Crawford LF
Varitek C
Ellsbury CF
Oakland
Crisp CF
Barton 1B
DeJesus RF
Matsui DH
Sweeney LF
Ellis 2B
Powell C
Kouzmanoff 3B
Pennington SS
PLAYER OF THE DAY
On this day in 1912, Fenway Park opened with a game against the New York Highlanders (Yankees). The Red Sox won the game 7-6 in the 11th inning on a game-winning hit by Hall-of-Famer Tris Speaker. Speaker played 22 seasons in the majors, 9 with the Red Sox, 11 with Cleveland, and one each with Washington (AL) and Philadelphia (AL). He won the MVP award with Boston in 1912 and finished his career with a .345 batting average, good for 4th all-time. He is also the career leader in doubles with 746. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the second class ever in 1937.
On Saturday, during the Red Sox vs. Angels game at 9:05, Troy and others here at Fire Brand will be holding a live chat. We will be joined by Angels blogger Garrett Wilson of Monkey With a Halo. Please join us and in the meantime check out Garrett’s site, www.monkeywithahalo.com to read up on the Sox’ next opponent.