Photo credit: @Athletics

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Boston Red Sox, behind a terrific performance by Rick Porcello, sent the Oakland A’s down to their fifth consecutive loss Tuesday night 5-1 at Fenway Park. Porcello was in command as he went eight innings and allowed just two hits and no runs. He threw a season-high 114 pitches.

A’s starter Aaron Brooks lasted only 4 1/3 innings and absorbed his third loss of the season. Brooks continued to give up gopher balls. The Red Sox hit two and Brooks has now surrendered eight long shots so far this year.

In the bottom of the first, with one out, Mookie Betts, the reigning AL MVP, homered to center field to give the Red Sox an early 1-0 advantage. Boston added another run in the second. With one out, rookie second baseman Michael Chavis singled to center. Brooks walked Mitch Moreland to put runners at first and second. Chavis advanced to third on a fielder’s choice and scored on Sandy Leon’s single. Boston led 2-0 after two.

The Red Sox made it 4-0 in the fourth. Michael Chavis singled, and that was followed by Mitch Moreland’s eighth home run of the 2019 season. The Red Sox added an unearned run in their half of the fifth. Ramon Laureano dropped J.D. Martinez’ fly on the warning track in center field for a two-base error. Xander Bogaerts walked, and that was followed by a double to right field by Rafael Devers. A’s manager Bob Melvin walked to the mound and removed Brooks from the game. Brooks pitched 4 1/ innings and allowed six hits, five runs (four earned), walked three and struck out two. The A’s bullpen held the Red Sox scoreless the rest of the way.

The A’s only run came in the top of the ninth when left fielder Robbie Grossman hit his third homer of the year. Red Sox reliever Tyler Thornburg then retired the side to record the 5-1 win for Boston.

Game Notes: The A’s are now 14-18 for the year and are 0-5 on the nine-game road trip. The A’s play the final game of the three-game series Wednesday. at 10:05 am.

The Red Sox improve to 13-17. Both Rick Porcello and Aaron Brooks, are now 2-3.

Mike Fiers will pitch for the A’s on Wednesday. The Red Sox have not yet announced their starter.

Time of game was two hours and 35 minutes. 31,754 fans watched the game on a very chilly night in Boston. The temperature at the start of the game was just 50 degrees.