Kurtz, Butler power A’s past Red Sox 5-4, end Chapman’s hitless streak of 50 batters, 17 appearances
The Oakland Athletics pulled off an impressive 5-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, with rookie Nick Kurtz making history by becoming only the third Athletics rookie to hit 30 home runs in a season. Kurtz’s 357-foot shot to left field in the second inning gave the A’s a 2-1 lead, showcasing his power at the plate.
The game took an exciting turn in the ninth inning when Lawrence Butler delivered a walk-off single off Red Sox pitcher Aroldis Chapman, ending Chapman’s seven-week hitless streak. Shea Langeliers set the stage for Butler’s heroics with a leadoff double, breaking Chapman’s impressive streak of 50 batters without allowing a hit.
The A’s offense also received contributions from rookie Jacob Wilson, who is hitting an impressive .319, and Langeliers, who hit his career-high 30th home run in the first inning. The A’s had been struggling to score runs in the series, but Langeliers’ homer and Butler’s clutch hit helped secure the win.
On the pitching side, Hogan Harris picked up the win after coming in to close out the game in the ninth inning. The A’s bullpen did a solid job of shutting down the Red Sox offense, with Mason Barnett giving up three runs in his start and Kyle Harrison making a solid major league debut.
The victory was a much-needed one for the A’s, who had been struggling against the Red Sox in recent matchups. With the win, the A’s improved their record against the Red Sox since 2022 to 16-5, a positive sign for the team as they look to make a push for the playoffs.
Looking ahead, the Red Sox will send Lucas Giolito to the mound to face the New York Yankees, while the A’s have yet to name a starter for their upcoming game against the Cincinnati Reds. The stage is set for more exciting baseball action as the season heads into the final stretch.
Overall, the A’s victory over the Red Sox was a thrilling and memorable game, highlighted by Kurtz’s historic home run and Butler’s game-winning hit. The team will look to build on this momentum as they continue their push towards the postseason.
