by Jerry Feitelberg

AP photo: Oakland A’s catcher Josh Phegley watches the Boston Red Sox Jackie Bradley Jr do the forearm bash with teammates after hitting a grand slam in the sixth inning at Fenway Park on Monday night

The Oakland A’s started a three-game series in Boston Monday night. The A’s were hoping to get back on the winning track as they had their ace, Sonny Gray, pitching. Things did not go as planned as the Red Sox pummeled the A’s 14-7.

The A’s had a 4- 1 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth. The A’s didn’t have much trouble hitting Red Sox starter, Clay Buchholz. Oakland scored one in the first and two in the second. The Red Sox got one back in the bottom of the second, but the A’s Khris Davis hit a solo homer into the seats over the Green Monster.

The Red Sox scored six times in the bottom of the fourth. They sent eleven men to the plate. Bob Melvin, much to his consternation, had to take Sonny out of the game.  Gray went three and 2/3rds innings and allowed eight hits and seven runs. Sonny was charged with his fourth loss of the year, and his record is now 3-4. Bob Melvin said this about Sonny “He’s going through a tough time,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “We haven’t seen him struggle like this. Everyone struggles over the course of their careers, and he’ll figure a way out of it.”

The Red Sox continued to pour it on. They scored two in the fifth and four in the sixth to take a 14-4 lead. Jackie Bradley, Jr. hit a Grand Slam into the seats in right field just past the Pesky Pole. The late Dave Niehaus would say” Granma, get out the mustard and rye bread, it’s a grand salami.”

The A’s scored three runs late in the game but, alas, it was too little, too late.

Game Notes- The A’s have lost six out of the last seven and are 4-12 in their last sixteen games. The A’s are now five games under .500 with a record of 14-19.

Hitting stars for the Red Sox were Travis Shaw, who went 3-for-5, Brock Holt with a two-run dinger, and David Ortiz (Big Papi) had two doubles and Jackie Bradley, Jr with six RBI and a Grand Slam.

Tuesday’s game at Fenway Park will see the battle of the Seans. Sean Manaea will be making his third start of the season for Oakland. It will be a challenge for Manaea as Fenway can be a cruel place for lefties. The Red Sox will counter with Sean O’Sullivan.

Game time will be at 4:05 PM PT