When the Red Sox lose, they sure make it memorable.
The first defeat came via an Opening Day, eighth-inning collapse. Then there was the bench-clearing brawl game on April 11 that almost seemed more like a win that what it was, the Sox' second loss of the season. And then came Saturday night in Oakland.
For the first time in 24 years and 364 days, the Red Sox were no-hit, with the A's Sean Manaea earning the honor in his team's 3-0 win over the best offense in baseball. (For a complete recap, click here.)
Manaea managed the feat against a team that came into the night averaging an MLB-best 10.6 hits per game, really not allowing Alex Cora's many legitimate chances at all. He needed 108 pitches, striking out 10 and walking two
The game wasn't without a couple of controversial calls.
The first coming with two outs in the fifth inning when Sandy Leon lofted a pop-up to shallow center field. A's shortstop Marcus Semien ranged out, attempting to reach out with his back to home plate. With his two outfielders nearby, Semien dropped the ball while extending his arm. The ruling was an error.
Ruled an error. Keeps no-hitter for Manaea intact. Thoughts ... pic.twitter.com/EAZ8D3BeZR
— Rob Bradford (@bradfo)
April 22, 2018 Then, in in the seventh inning, it appeared as though Andrew Benintendi broke up the no-hitter with a slow roller down the first base line, clearly avoiding the tag from first baseman Matt Olson. But after a conference between the umpires it was ruled that Benintendi had stepped out of the baseline.
#RedSox @ #AthleticsMatt Olson fields the ball and lunges for the tag, forcing Andrew Benintendi to leave the base path and keep Sean Manea's no-hit bid intact (00:58)MLB Gameday: https://t.co/W91qs6MEvu pic.twitter.com/EcoUkD14B0
— Ballpark Videos (@BallparkVids)
April 22, 2018 Rule 5.09(b)(1), below. Benintendi's path is established when Olson attempts to tag Benintendi. He is charitably on the foul line when Olson attempts the tag and ends up having to reach perpendicularly to touch the first base bag. Benintendi is 5-foot-9, so there you are. pic.twitter.com/Xxr5c7JJKq
— Jeremy F. Koo (@jfkooAN)
April 22, 2018 Manaea came into the game with a career 13.50 ERA against the Red Sox in three starts, having given up seven runs on 11 hits in his last meeting with Boston.
The last time the Red Sox were no-hit came when Chris Bosio did it in Seattle for the Mariners on April 22, 1993.
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