Full Boxscore and Standings
The Boston Red Sox met little resistance from the Oakland Athletics, beating them 12-2 at Oakland Coliseum. John Valentin led the way. He went 4 for 6 with a double and 3 singles. He scored 2 runs and drove in 4 for Boston.
Bret Saberhagen got the win, improving to 1-0. He worked 8 innings, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits, while striking out 3 and walking 1. With the loss, Oakland is 1-1. Boston right fielder Darren Bragg contributed to the cause with a triple in the top of the third. For the game, Bragg went 4 for 4 with 2 triples, 2 doubles, and a walk, while scoring 4 times.
"You can't sugarcoat this one," said Oakland manager Art Howe . "We got flat-out beat."