Late Collapse Costs A’s Chance at Series Split

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 30: Lawrence Butler #4 of the Athletics slides into home plate to score a run ahead of the tag from Connor Wong #12 of the Boston Red Sox in the bottom of the sixth inning at Sutter Health Park on July 30, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Athletics closed out this four-game series against the Boston Red Sox on a warm summer night in West Sacramento. It was déjà vu all over again for the A’s, as they carried a late lead only to watch another reliever blow the save in a 5-4 loss that prevented them from salvaging a series split.

A’s Strike FirstThe Athletics’ struggles with runners in scoring position showed up immediately. Facing Red Sox starter Sonny Gray, designated hitter Jacob Wilson lined a one-out double in the bottom of the first, only to be stranded at second as the next two hitters grounded out.

class="wp-block-paragraph">A’s right fielder Carlos Cortes drew a leadoff walk in the third inning. He advanced to second on a groundout and then moved to third on Red Sox’ shortstop Andruw Monasterio’s fielding error. Unlike last night, Wilson came through with a runner on third and fewer than two outs, lining an RBI single to center to put the A’s up 1-0.

class="wp-block-paragraph">The hosts had a chance to score more, but Gray escaped without further damage by getting left fielder Tyler Soderstrom to ground into an inning-ending double play. Through three innings, the A’s were 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position, wasting opportunities to do more damage against Boston’s starter.

Jacob Wilson and the A's strike first 🙌 pic.twitter.com/1EhUWRdpOb

— Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) July 31, 2026A’s Add OnSeeking to extend the A’s lead, catcher Jonah Heim led off the bottom of the fourth with his 11th double of the season. He scored the A’s second run on center fielder Lawrence Butler’s one-out RBI double to right. Jeff McNeil followed with a single, advancing Butler to third.

Butler doubles in Heim 💪 pic.twitter.com/Hy82JQwT0g

— Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) July 31, 2026With two outs, shortstop Donovan Walton came through, grounding an RBI single to right that brought Butler home and extended the A’s lead to 3-0. Once again the A’s had a chance to add to their lead, but Gray got Wilson to pop out, stranding the bases loaded.

Walton makes it 3-0 👌 pic.twitter.com/RkryUoPdya

— Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) July 31, 2026Red Sox Tie Things UpA’s starter Mason Barnett got off to a good start, throwing four scoreless innings. However, he unraveled in the fifth inning.

class="wp-block-paragraph">The Red Sox scored their first run of the game on Monasterio’s RBI single against Barnett. The visitors were not done, tying the game at 3-3 on Rafaela’s two-run double down the left-field line that got past a diving White at third base. Barnett kept the game tied by retiring Wilyer Abreu to end the inning.

class="wp-block-paragraph">The A’s starter had been pitching well until that inning, which was likely due to it being his deepest outing in a major league game this season. He allowed three runs on four hits over five innings, striking out six in an outing that was going well until his fifth and final inning of work.

Blewett Does Not Blow it Right-handed reliever Scott Blewett pitched the sixth inning, making his A’s debut in a tie game. His first appearance with the team did not start well, as two straight singles and a sacrifice bunt set Boston up to take the lead for the first time this evening. Blewett kept the game tied, as the Red Sox failed to take advantage of that golden opportunity.

Butler Comes Through AgainButler led off the bottom of the sixth with his second double of the night off Gray. He tagged up and advanced to third on McNeil’s flyout before scoring the go-ahead run on Cortes’ sacrifice fly.

Law Dawg slides in safe 💨 pic.twitter.com/xZRJPzDXd6

— Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) July 31, 2026Blewett kept the A’s in the lead, throwing a second straight scoreless inning of relief. Unfortunately, the A’s bullpen could not keep things going.

Familiar FateRight-hander Luis Medina, whose daughter threw out the first pitch before the game, blew his fourth save of the season. Abreu and Willson Contreras hit back-t0-back home runs in the eighth inning to put the Red Sox ahead 5-4, turning the game on its head.

class="wp-block-paragraph">The A’s continued to hurt themselves by swinging at first pitches. The latest example came in the bottom of the eighth inning, when White grounded into a first-pitch double play, instantly erasing speedster Henry Bolte from the bases.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Up one, the Red Sox brought in closer Aroldis Chapman for the save opportunity. With one out, pinch-hitter Alika Williams just missed a game-tying home run, settling for a double off the wall. Chapman recovered, striking out pinch-hitter Colby Thomas and Nick Kurtz to save Boston’s 5-4 victory, wrapping up their seventh straight series victory and sending the Athletics to their tenth straight series loss.

Series Wrap-upThis four-game series perfectly encapsulated the A’s 2026 season. The “Green and Gold” had a chance to complete the sweep, but their leaky bullpen and inability to deliver with runners in scoring position cost them three games of the series, dropping the team’s home record to an awful 24-31.

class="wp-block-paragraph">With the trade deadline looming on Monday, something has to change. There is too much dead weight on this roster, from Thomas to the inconsistent bullpen to manager Mark Kotsay, who has yet to lead the Athletics to a winning season since replacing Bob Melvin in 2022.

class="wp-block-paragraph">The A’s will continue this homestand this weekend with a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers. Friday’s pitching matchup features left-hander Jeffrey Springs against right-hander Casey Mize. The A’s will look to return the favor after the Tigers swept all three games between the teams in Detroit before the All-Star break.

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