BOSTON (AP) — Pinch-hitter Nick Sogard’s 10th-inning infield grounder off Michael Kelly drove home Nate Eaton with the winning run, as the Boston Red Sox edged the Oakland Athletics 5-4 on Wednesday night. This marked Boston’s American League-leading 11th walk-off win of the season.
Eaton began the inning as the designated runner at second base, advanced to third on Carlos Narvaez’s sacrifice bunt, and scored with a head-first slide to avoid the tag by catcher Shea Langeliers.
Boston’s Chris Murphy (3-0) earned the win, pitching one-third of an inning, while Kelly (4-4) took the loss.
Masataka Yoshida singled in a run in the first for the Red Sox. In the second inning, Rob Refsnyder gave Boston a 2-1 lead with a leadoff home run, his ninth of the season.
The Athletics responded with a run in the second off Boston right-hander Lucas Giolito. Darell Hernaiz’s sacrifice fly scored Lawrence Butler, contributing to Hernaiz’s three RBIs in the game — matching his career high.
Oakland added three runs in the fifth inning. Butler drew a bases-loaded walk and Hernaiz followed with a two-run single. Boston countered with runs in the fifth and sixth innings, tying the game at 4.
Trevor Story stood out with a stolen base in the sixth inning but was caught attempting to steal second to end the eighth inning. This was the first caught-stealing event for Story this season after 31 consecutive successful steals—the longest such streak to start a season in the American League since stolen bases were first recorded in 1920.
**Key Moment:**
With two outs, bases loaded, and a 1-2 count on No. 8 hitter Hernaiz in the fifth inning, Boston left-hander Justin Wilson allowed a two-run single that gave Oakland a two-run lead. However, Boston responded in the bottom of the inning by loading the bases with no outs, scoring one run despite an error and misplay by the Athletics.
**Key Stat:**
The Red Sox, who hold a 21-26 record in one-run games this season, went 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position Wednesday. They are now 7-for-38 (.184) in such situations through the first five games of this six-game homestand.
**Up Next:**
The Athletics and Red Sox will conclude their season series Thursday afternoon. Right-hander J.T. Ginn (3-6, 4.69 ERA) is scheduled to start for Oakland, opposed by Boston’s right-hander Brayan Bello (11-7, 3.25 ERA).
https://whdh.com/sports/red-sox-edge-athletics-5-4-in-10-innings-for-11th-walk-off-win-of-the-year/
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