GAME #40, BOSTON RED SOX AT OAKLAND A'S

[Bear]

RED SOX V A'S

THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2017, 10PM AT OAKLAND COLESEUM

TV:  NESN, NBCSCA

BOSTON, (21-18)....................................................................OAKLAND, (17-23)

BOSTON:

HECTOR VELAZQUEZ, RHP, 0-0, -.-, O K

The Red Sox purchased the right-hander from the Mexican League in February
and will send him to the mound for his Major League debut to start this 4-game
series in Oakland.  Velazquez, 28, is 2-1 with a 1.55 ERA in five Triple-A starts.

OAKLAND:

SONNY GRAY, RHP, 0-1,3.78 ERA, 9K

Gray went six innings in his start of the season Saturday, taking
a no-decision in Texas despite allowing two runs on five hits and two
walks.  The right-hander struck out three in the 106 outing.

Velazquez makes debut opposite Gray

Ian Browne

As the Red Sox and Athletics open a four-game series in Oakland on Thursday night, one starting pitcher will be making his Major League debut and the other will be trying to get into a groove after opening the season late due to injury.

On Feb. 18, Boston purchased the contract of Hector Velazquez from the Mexican League in an effort to add organizational depth to the starting rotation. On the three-month anniversary of his acquisition, the 28-year-old Velazquez gets the call from Triple-A Pawtucket to make the start for the Red Sox, temporarily filling out the final spot in the rotation until David Price returns. Velazquez has been impressive for the PawSox, going 2-1 with a 1.55 ERA in five starts.

Meanwhile, Athletics ace Sonny Gray (0-1, 3.78 ERA) is making his fourth start of the season after starting the season on the disabled list with a lat injury. Gray's last start was his best so far, as he gave up two runs over six innings in Oakland's loss to the Rangers.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS GAME

• After playing under National League rules the past two games in St. Louis, the Red Sox get designated hitter Hanley Ramirez back in the lineup for this series. Ramirez had a strong power streak in late April, but he has yet to display the form that made him one of the most productive hitters in the American League last year.

• From 2015-16, opponents' batting average and slugging percentage against Gray's fastballs has soared from .267/.363 to .321/.513. But through three starts in '17, Gray's fastball results (.250/.386) have bounced back.

• A veteran of the AL West before coming to Boston this season, Mitch Moreland easily has the most experience of any Red Sox player against Gray, going 5-for-18 with three homers and five RBIs.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170517230783854/velazquez-makes-debut-opposite-gray/?game_pk=490708

[longgame]

Well, I'm off to the land of Bear - a long weekend of fishing in the Great State of Maine.  Have fun without me.  Go Sox!

[Bear]

Where abouts are you going Ted?  Must be upnorth, as we Mainahs call it.

[Rob from Mass]

It was good seeing JBJ not pull the ball in the 2 game set in St.Louie. All four hits this series went to CF  or LF.

[Schloicka]

Good start. Got 2 runs in the 1st.

[markj]

Was about to post the same thing. Good start.

Let's hope Hector doesn't have a rough debut.

[markj]

Oh boy. So much for the early lead.

[markj]

Rough debut, indeed. Back-to-back dingers.

[markj]

Limited damage. Sox down 3-2. Hope he settles down now.

[markj]

There's a good inning. That's better.

[ipot]

Velasquez had a Porcello 1st inning, I see. 

[Leesam01]

I hope Velasquez settles down. Right now he looks like he's throwing BP.

[ipot]

A good DP saves Velazquez.  And Moreland with a dinger to tie it.

[Leesam01]

More carnage.

3 - 6.

[markj]

Ouch. Sox better start hitting.