Game Thread #86: A’s vs. Red Sox

Happy Independence Day!

The Oakland A’s and Boston Red Sox only finished playing their last game about half an hour ago, but it’s already time for the rubber match series finale. The two clubs went at it for 4 hours and 24 minutes yesterday afternoon and into the evening, with the A’s prevailing in a 12th-inning comeback walk-off.

Both clubs have an extra-inning win at the Coliseum this weekend, and now they’ll play one more game Sunday. Oakland calls on James Kaprielian for the start. The rookie right-hander beat the Sox at Fenway Park in his first MLB start back in May, and he’s continued pitching great since then with a 3.06 ERA.

The A’s will face righty Nick Pivetta for the first time in his career, but they’ll do so without DH Mitch Moreland, who went on the injured list today. Stephen Piscotty is back from the IL (wrist) in his place, though not starting today.

A’s lineup (home)

1. 2B Tony Kemp (L)
2. SS Elvis Andrus (R)
3. 1B Matt Olson (L)
4. 3B Matt Chapman (R)
5. DH Jed Lowrie (S)
6. CF Ramon Laureano (R)
7. RF Chad Pinder (R)
8. LF Seth Brown (L)
9. C Aramis Garcia (R)

• RHP James Kaprielian

Garcia catches after Murphy worked 12 innings behind the plate last night.

Red Sox lineup (away)

1. CF Enrique Hernandez (R)
2. RF Alex Verdugo (L)
3. DH JD Martinez (R)
4. 3B Rafael Devers (L)
5. C Christian Vasquez (R)
6. SS Marwin Gonzalez (S)
7. LF Danny Santana (S)
8. 1B Bobby Dalbec (R)
9. 2B Michael Chavis (R)

• RHP Nick Pivetta

How To Watch

• Date: Sunday, July 4
• Time: 1:07 p.m. PT
• TV (local): NBC Sports California
• Radio: 960 AM (more listings here)
• Streaming (watch): NBCS website (with cable sub)
• Streaming (listen): A’s Cast