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		Dice-K gets A’s in close battle By Pearl Allison Lo July 19, 2010
	OAKLAND, CA - JULY 19: Daisuke Matsuzaka #18 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on July 19, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
	Daisuke Matsuzaka (7-3) had twelve straight outs at one point, as the Boston Red Sox edged Oakland, 2-1 Monday. It was Matsuzaka’s second straight win, as the A’s saw their five-game winning streak fall. Meanwhile, Oakland’s Ben Sheets (4-9) fell back into the pattern of giving up at least six hits, with seven. The Red Sox tied and took the lead in the top of the fourth. Former A Eric Patterson led off with a triple and David Ortiz brought him in with a sacrifice fly. One out later, Adrian Belte hit a home run to give Boston the 2-1 lead. In the top of the first, former Athletic Marco Scutaro led off with a single, which Sheets followed with three consecutive groundouts. Oakland scored first in the bottom of the third when Rajai Davis hit a one-out home run. In the top of the seventh, the Red Sox interchanged outs and singles and loaded the bases after a walk with two outs. Sheets then gave way to Jerry Blevins and Bill Hall pinch-hit for Patterson. Blevins won the battle with the inning-ending groundout. Oakland’s Jack Cust walked and Mark Ellis doubled to give the A’s runners on second and third with two out in the bottom of the inning. This prompted a pitching change as well, with Daniel Bard coming in for Matsuzaka. The pitcher won the battle again, as Gabe Gross popped out. In the bottom of the eighth, Oakland’s Cliff Pennington singled, stole second and Daric Barton walked, to give the A’s runners at first and second with two outs. However, Kurt Suzuki hit a groundout for the final out. The Red Sox’s Jonathan Papelbon came in for the bottom of the ninth to provide a 1-2-3 inning and earn his 21st save. He has had five straight. Game notes: A’s pitcher Henry Rodriguez rejoined the club as initially, outfielder Ryan Sweeney’s right patella tendinitis caused him to be placed on the 15-day DL. However, Sweeney will now require season-ending surgery. After Boston, Oakland hosts the Chicago White Sox, along with Dog Day at the Park on Friday. Tuesday’s game starts at 7:05pm.