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Athletics-Red Sox Preview

Jul 7, 2009 - 5:12 AM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Oakland (34-46) at Boston (49-32), 7:10 p.m. EDT

With their AL East lead in jeopardy, the Boston Red Sox are suddenly depleted and slumping, but Tuesday's seemingly lopsided pitching matchup could be all they need to get back on track.

In the middle game of a three-game set, the Red Sox will send ace Josh Beckett to the mound to face the Oakland Athletics, who will turn to minor leaguer Dana Eveland on short rest.

Boston (49-33) needed a late comeback Sunday just to avoid being swept in a three-game series by Seattle, and struggled again Monday.

Oakland rookie Brett Anderson threw a two-hitter in a 6-0 win in the series opener, which was Nomar Garciaparra's first game at Fenway Park since he was traded away by Boston during the 2004 season. The former Red Sox shortstop got a lengthy standing ovation, then finished with as many hits as the entire Boston team.

"You don't know how things are going to play out," Garciaparra said. "There's no script for that one. I think what you saw out there was just pure emotion, from the fans, from myself."

Boston's recent struggles, having dropped three of four and five of eight, have reduced its division lead over the New York Yankees to one game.

An inconsistent and short-handed offense has been one of the problems. Reigning AL MVP Dustin Pedroia missed Monday's game and is uncertain Tuesday due to personal reasons, while Mike Lowell remains on the disabled list.

Replacement Jeff Bailey joined him on the DL, and with Mark Kotsay dealing with a calf problem, callup Aaron Bates made his major league debut in the loss.

"I think we feel like we need this roster spot for about a week," Red Sox manager Terry Francona told his team's official Web site. "Rather than go make a move, I think we all kind of enjoy promoting from within. ... Hopefully this kid will help us win a couple of games."

Bates went 0 for 3 from the No. 9 spot Monday, and Kevin Youkilis was 0 for 4, slipping to 1 for 17 without an RBI in his last four games.

The Red Sox have scored two or fewer runs four times in their last nine contests, but facing Eveland (1-2, 7.40 ERA) may provide an opportunity to break out offensively.

The left-hander is filling in for scheduled starter Dallas Braden, who was placed on the bereavement list Monday. Eveland went 9-9 with a 4.34 ERA for the A's last year, but has been with Triple-A Sacramento since May after some early struggles.

He has gone 7-1 with a 3.49 ERA for Sacramento, but is scheduled to pitch on three days' rest after throwing 89 pitches Friday. He also allowed nine runs in two-plus innings in his only previous start at Fenway on Aug. 2.

Oakland will have a fresh bullpen after Anderson's effort, but the Red Sox will feel better about having Beckett (9-3, 3.67) on the mound.

The right-hander has lost once since the end of April, winning seven times in 11 starts with a 2.35 ERA over that span. He struggled early against Baltimore on Wednesday, allowing five runs in the first four innings, but retired the last 12 batters he faced and the Red Sox came back to win 6-5 in 11 innings.

Beckett is 2-3 with a 4.88 ERA against the A's, but he'll be looking for his fifth straight quality start against them.