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Haren seeks to win fourth straight start

Jun 4, 2007 - 2:23 PM Boston (37-18) at Oakland (28-27) 10:05 pm EDT

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Oakland Athletics send Dan Haren to the mound in the opener of a four-game series against the American League-leading Boston Red Sox on Monday.

Haren (6-2, 1.64 ERA) brings his league-low ERA to the table with the hopes of winning his fourth straight start. Last time out, Haren yielded just one run and four hits in eight innings for a 6-1 triumph over Texas on Wednesday.

However, the righthander has had his share of struggles against Boston, going 1-3 lifetime against the Red Sox. But Boston's offense might have a hard time getting to Haren, who is allowing opponents to bat just .180.

Nick Swisher, Eric Chavez and Bobby Crosby each contributed an RBI, and Chad Gaudin and the bullpen held the Minnesota Twins in check as Oakland posted a 4-2 victory on Sunday.

Boston's Julian Tavarez (3-4, 5.40) finally takes the mound after having his regular turn in the rotation pushed back for Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett.

The Dominican righthander surrendered four runs in 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against Texas on May 27. He has never faced Oakland as a starter, but has 20 relief appearances in the series.

The Red Sox look to rebound from Sunday's 6-5 ninth-inning setback to the New York Yankees as closer Jonathan Papelbon gave up the game-winning homer to Alex Rodriguez.

"I had him 0-2, which was exactly what I wanted to do obviously," Papelbon said. "In that situation, I've got to throw him something that is outside the zone and I didn't do that."