A’s Win in Nomar’s Return

By Teddy in Featured, Red Sox, Top Story ⋅ July 6, 2009 at 10:08pm ⋅ Post a comment

The A’s made it a nice homecoming for Nomar Garciaparra in his big return to Fenway.

Oakland made it look easy, controlling every aspect of the game en route to a 6-0 win. Rookie pitcher Brett Anderson pitched a complete game and held the Red Sox to only two hits, a single each to Jason Bay and Nick Green.

While making his way to the plate in a scoreless game, Garciaparra received a standing ovation from the Fenway Faithful in his first appearance in Fenway Park since he was traded to the Chicago Cubs during the 2004 season.

Jason Giambi led off the fourth inning with a single off Red Sox starter John Smoltz. A Nomar single scored the first A’s run, and a Mark Ellis double adding two more. Adam Kennedy capped off the four-run inning with a single that scored Ellis.

The four-run inning was all that Anderson needed. Facing the first three batters after the A’s put up four, he struck out the stride, getting Julio Lugo, Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz. Anderson went on to strike out nine total on way to the complete game shutout.

Solid outfield plays by Bay and Rocco Baldelli were not enough, as the Sox could not produce any type of offense. This was the second time the Sox were shut out this season.

In the top of the ninth, with two outs, Orlando Cabrera, who was traded for Nomar in 2004, hit a shot over the Green Monster. Lugo, Youkilis and Ortiz went down one-two-three again in the bottom of the ninth to close out the game.

There was a long pause for Garciaparra in the second when he came to the plate. He tipped his cap during the standing ovation, but ended up grounding out to third in the at bat.

The Sox and A’s continue the three-game series Tuesday.

Player of the Game

Brett Anderson: Any time a rookie can come into Fenway Park and pitch a complete game shutout with nine strikeouts and only two hits, it deserves to be mentioned.

What Did He Say?

“I got chills from seeing that… I am real happy to be here,” said NESN’s Dennis Eckersley on Nomar’s standing ovation before his first at bat.

Did You Know?

Nomar Garciaparra is fourth all time in Red Sox history with a .323 batting average. He is behind only Ted Williams (.344), Wade Boggs (.338), and Tris Speaker (.337).

Random Notes

Oakland has started Rookie pitchers in 26 of their last 32 games.
Aaron Bates (just called up for Jeff Bailey, who went to the DL) made his major league debut for the Red Sox at first base. He went 0-3 at the plate.
A’s Catcher Kurt Suzuki has not made an error in 66 consecutive games.

About Teddy

Was born in Queens, NY, but moved up to New Hampshire around 12, when my interest in sports really began to boom. A huge fan of the Boston sports scene, especially the Sox, Celts, Bruins and Pats. Went to Keene State College where I majored in Journalism and went around covering the college teams. Not just a bandwagon fan... i tend to follow everything from the Draft to Championships. Love to write and look forward to bringing a fun, interesting style... hopefully...

Tags: Aaron Bates, David Ortiz, John Smoltz, Julio Lugo, Kevin Youkilis, Nomar Garciaparra, Oakland Athletics, Orlando Cabrera, Red Sox

Discussion

3 comments for “A’s Win in Nomar’s Return”

A’s Win in Nomar’s Return: The A’s made it a nice homecoming for Nomar Garciaparra in his big return to Fenway.
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Posted by Sports of Boston | July 7, 2009, 5:33 am
I didn’t realize how good Nomar’s career batting average is among active players, don’t quote me but I think it’s .313 and 8th in the league. I really hope Nomar makes it back to the Red Sox to end his career. He was definitely making it clear that that is something he wants. The guy has never won a World Series and we traded him in 2004, the year we first won it all. That has to be sour for him. I think if he’s healthy maybe next year or in a couple years, he can really be a valuable asset, and maybe one of those guys that takes less money to try and join a team and win a World Series. Even if he’s just a DH. I don’t think the Mariners are contenders this year too, but think of Ken Griffey and the lift he’s brought to Seattle this year. They’re a team that has completely turned around from last year. When they beat us in a home series last week I think we saw that head on.

It would be nice to see Nomar in a Red Sox uniform again.

It would also be nice to see Trot Nixon again too but that’s another story…I’m biased, Trot Nixon is the man.

Posted by Jimmy | July 8, 2009, 2:41 pm
[...] anyone see this coming for Monday night baseball? A 6-0 shutout loss in the opening game of the series against the A’s? At Fenway Park? It certainly took me by [...]

Posted by Wakefield Makes a Rookie Appearance, Ortiz Can Finally Hit? | Sports of Boston | July 10, 2009, 7:40 am