Photo credit: @Athletics

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Boston Red Sox must be asking themselves this question: “Who are these guys?” Well, these guys are the Oakland A’s and by defeating Boston 5-3 Tuesday night, they have won four of the five games played between these two teams so far this season.

A’s Daniel Mengden won his first game ever against Boston, and Red Sox lefty Eduardo Rodriguez absorbed his first loss.

The A’s scored two in the first and one in the second to take an early 3-0 lead. In the first inning, Marcus Semien and Chad Pinder singled to start the game. Rodriguez retired the next two hitters but could not get past A’s third baseman Matt Chapman. Chapman drove in Semien and Pinder with a double to deep right center field. In the second inning, right fielder Stephen Piscotty–in his first game since coming off the bereavement list–homered to left. The A’s lead 3-0 after two innings of play.

The Red Sox picked up a run in the bottom of the fourth. The run was unearned as Matt Chapman made a fielding error that allowed J.D.Martinez to get to second. Xander Bogaerts singled to send Martinez to third. Bogaerts was retired at second when Moreland reached on a fielder’s choice. Martinez scored on the play. In the bottom of the fifth, Andrew Benintendi hot a solo home run to make it a 3-2 game.

The A’s added two insurance runs in the top of the eighth. Khris Davis and Matt Chapman singled to start the rally. With two out, Mark Canha doubled to drive in Davis and Chapman to ice the win for Oakland.

Game Notes and Stats: With the win, the A’s evened their season record at 21-21 and are 3-2 on the road trip so far. The Red Sox dropped to 28-14.

Daniel Mengden went six innings and allowed eight hits and two runs, one of which was unearned. Mengden earned his third win of the campaign.

Lou Trivino pitched the seventh and eighth and held the Red Sox off the board. Blake Treinen picked up his eighth save, even though he gave up a run.

The A’s announced that Trevor Cahill will start the final game of the three-game series on Wednesday. To make room for Cahill, the A’s sent Kendall Graveman back to Triple-A Nashville.

Like I’ve mentioned earlier, Stephen Piscotty returned to action after being on the bereavement list due to the death of his mother.

Cahill will pitch for Oakland, and he will be opposed by Boston’s ace, Chris Sale.

Up Next: Game 3 is scheduled for Wednesday at 4:00 pm PST.