Athletics 5 - 6 Red Sox
Final
  for this game

Red Sox down A's, take three-game series

Apr 25, 2013 - 2:57 AM Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Daniel Nava had a pinch-hit RBI single which proved to be the eventual game-winner as part of a three-run fifth inning, and the Boston Red Sox survived with a 6-5 win over the Oakland Athletics to take the three-game series at Fenway Park.

David Ortiz and Shane Victorino also drove in runs in the decisive fifth frame for Boston, which responded well after dropping last night's contest, 13-0. Stephen Drew added two RBI.

Jon Lester (4-0) remained perfect on the season despite walking six batters in 5 2/3 innings of work. He also allowed three runs and struck out five.

"It's big to get a win right there," said Lester. "Offense picked me up after that three-run inning. They just kept doing a good job after that to score some more runs."

Oakland was paced by Chris Young, who hit two home runs and drove in four of the team's five runs. Jed Lowrie went 3-for-5 with a run scored while Josh Donaldson had two hits and an RBI.

"On a personal note I'm happy about the game," said Young. "But when you don't win you don't get the chance to enjoy it as much."

Brett Anderson (1-4) lasted just four-plus innings for the A's, yielding six runs and eight hits while striking out five.

In the deciding inning, Jacoby Ellsbury led off with a single and stole second before coming in on Victorino's double to put the hosts ahead for good. Dustin Pedroia added an infield hit ahead of an Ortiz single to plate Victorino which sent Anderson from the mound.

Chris Resop entered only to hit Mike Napoli and serve up Nava's pinch-single for a 6-3 game.

In the sixth, Lester loaded the bases with two down and was lifted in favor of Junichi Tazawa, who got Coco Crisp to fly out to left to get out of trouble.

Oakland tacked on one run apiece in the seventh and eighth innings on Donaldson's single to right and Young's second homer, this one a leadoff solo shot.

Andrew Bailey, filling in for an injured Joel Hanrahan, then struck out the side in the ninth for his fifth save of the campaign.

Oakland opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning. Following singles by Lowrie and Brandon Moss, Young cranked his first home run of the afternoon to left field for a 3-0 game.

The Red Sox responded quickly, plating three runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth. Ortiz started the rally with a one-out double to left field. Napoli followed with a double, scoring Ortiz, then Jonny Gomes walked. Two batters later, Drew brought in two more runs with a triple to right field.

Game Notes

Home plate umpire Jerry Layne left the game in the top of the fourth inning after being struck on the hand by a foul ball ... Victorino also left in the seventh inning with an apparent back injury ... Ellsbury stole his league-best 10th base of the season.






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