UPDATE: The Oakland Athletics delivered a thrilling comeback against the Boston Red Sox, winning 5-4 in a dramatic ninth inning finish, just moments ago. This victory allowed the A’s to avoid a series sweep and showcased a historic performance from pitcher Aroldis Chapman, who allowed his first hit since July 23.
In an electrifying conclusion, Shea Langeliers ignited the rally with a leadoff double off Chapman, who had impressively gone through 50 batters and set a franchise record with 17 consecutive hitless appearances, marking the third-longest streak in MLB history since 1901. Only Randy Choate (20 appearances) and Tim Byrdak (18 appearances) have recorded longer streaks without allowing a hit.
As Langeliers advanced to second on a flyout, Lawrence Butler clinched the victory for the A’s with a powerful RBI single on a 100.2 mph fastball, sealing the fate of the Red Sox, who now face a major league-high 12 walk-off losses this season.
Earlier in the game, Nick Kurtz had put the A’s on the scoreboard with a stunning 357-foot home run in the second inning, marking his 30th homer as a rookie. He joins the elite company of former A’s greats Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire as the only players in franchise history to reach this milestone.
The excitement continued when Langeliers hit his career-high 30th homer, a solo shot in the first inning that snapped a 19-inning scoreless streak for the A’s. This game was pivotal as they had been shut out in the first two games of the series.
In the ninth, Red Sox’s Rob Refsnyder tied the game at 4 with an RBI double off Elvis Alvarado, adding to the tension. However, Hogan Harris entered the game and struck out Jarren Duran before retiring Alex Bregman to secure the win for the A’s.
This match featured a series of back-and-forth moments, including Nate Eaton and Trevor Story contributing RBI doubles for the Red Sox, putting them ahead 3-2 in the fourth inning. The A’s responded with a two-run double from Tyler Soderstrom in the fifth inning, reclaiming the lead at 4-3.
The game marked an important milestone for both teams as they gear up for the final stretch of the season. The Athletics’ performance today not only showcases their resilience but also highlights the ongoing struggles faced by the Red Sox.
Fans can expect more action as both teams prepare for their upcoming games, with the A’s looking to build on this momentum. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the MLB season unfolds.
