The Boston Red Sox<\/a> fail on the sweep attempt and lose to the Athletics<\/a> Wednesday.<\/p>\n Boston failed to capitalize after a leadoff double from Jarren Duran<\/a>, while the Athletics immediately got to starting pitcher Payton Tolle<\/a>. With one out, Shea Langeliers<\/a> hit a ball over the fence, just over the jumping Duran to give the soon to be Las Vegas club a 1-0 lead.<\/p>\n Boston responded the next inning, with a Nate Eaton<\/a> blooper that bounced off of Nick Kurtz<\/a>\u2019s glove, tying the game at one run apiece. Despite runners on second and third, Boston failed to take the lead. The bottom half saw a leadoff home run from Kurtz to retake the lead for the Athletics.<\/p>\n The back-and-forth kept going in the third inning, when Trevor Story<\/a> hit the first pitch he saw for an RBI double. Duran kept it going in the 4th, with a fielder\u2019s choice giving Boston their first lead of the ballgame.<\/p>\n The Athletics failed to rally until the 5th\u00a0inning. After Boston reliever Justin Slaten<\/a> loaded the bases, the Red Sox called on Steven Matz<\/a> to get them out of this predicament. Tyler Soderstrom<\/a> hit an RBI double to give the Red Sox the lead, although Lawrence Butler<\/a> made the second out of the inning on the throw to home plate following Soderstrom’s double.<\/p>\n The next three innings saw 1-2-3 innings from Boston, as the Athletics tried, but failed, to get some insurance runs. Fortunately for Boston, Rob Refsnyder<\/a> hit a pinch-hit double to tie the game at four.<\/p>\n Despite entering the bottom of the ninth tied at four, Boston closer Aroldis Chapman<\/a> was sent out to ensure a victory. Langeliers led off the inning, and did what the last 50 batters who faced Chapman couldn\u2019t do: reach base. A leadoff double instantly put Chapman in trouble.<\/p>\n Two batters later, Butler\u00a0sealed the deal with a walk-off single to ensure the Athletics aren’t swept in the series.<\/p>\n The Red Sox, despite being down at multiple points, got back on the horse and put some pressure on. In the 9th inning specifically, Boston showed tremendous fight to give Chapman a chance.<\/p>\n Not only did Chapman\u2019s 50-straight batters retired streak get broken, he allowed the walk-off. Granted, it was probably bound to happen, however, it doesn\u2019t make Boston fans feel any better about it.<\/p>\n Seven total Boston pitchers were used throughout this contest, including three of their top five leaders in appearances. It would be better if the Red Sox didn’t fail on the sweep attempt.<\/p>\n Boston will head back to their barn to take on the New York Yankees<\/a> in a three-game weekend series. The Red Sox project to let Lucas Giolito<\/a> take the bump to start the series. The Yankees have yet to name a pitcher for the game at the time of publication. Boston sits a half game below the Yankees in the Wild Card standings. However, they sit three games ahead of the Seattle Mariners<\/a>, who currently hold the last AL Wild Card spot.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nRed Sox – Athletics Game Summary<\/h3>\n
Red Sox Take the Lead<\/h3>\n
What Went Right for the Red Sox<\/h2>\n
Competed Until the End<\/h3>\n
What Went Wrong for the Red Sox<\/h2>\n
Uncharacteristic Chapman Performance<\/h3>\n
Lots of Arms Used<\/h3>\n
Looking Ahead<\/h3>\n