G82: Athletics 6, Red Sox 0

Athletics - 000 401 001 - 6 15  1
Red Sox   - 000 000 000 - 0  2  1

Anderson (9-2-0-2-9, 111) stole the show, dominating the Red Sox with ease.

The only hits off the 21-year-old left-hander were Jason Bay's single to left in the second and Nick Green's single to right in the fifth.

Bay was also the only Boston runner to advance past first base, stealing second after his single and then reaching on a three-base fielding error by center fielder Scott Hairtston in the seventh.

Smoltz (6-10-5-1-3, 99) allowed five hits and four runs in the fourth as Oakland batted around. He had trouble locating his off-speed pitches all night.

Garciaparra received a lengthy standing ovation -- more than two full minutes -- before he led off the second inning. He tipped his helmet and applauded back. Nomar went 2-for-4.

Before the game, Nomar expressed his appreciation for Red Sox fans:

I love them. I don't how else to put it to the fans that I love them, and the way they treated me the whole time I was here. I can't tell them how much that meant to me.

***

Brett Anderson (5.45, 75 ERA+) / John Smoltz (6.00, 77 ERA+)

Smoltz's first start at Fenway Park as a member of the Red Sox will be overshadowed tonight by the return of Nomar Garciaparra, who will play in Boston as an opposing player for the first time.

Aaron Bates has been called up from Pawtucket and will play first base and bat ninth tonight in his major league debut. Bates was a third-round pick for Boston in 2006.

After batting .370 for Portland in May, Bates was promoted to AAA on June 7. Bates is hitting only .182 for the PawSox in 88 at-bats and is 0-for-his-last-27.

Jed Lowrie was moved to the 60-day DL to make room on the 40-man roster.

Fun Fact: Rookie LHP Anderson was less than six months old when Smoltz made his major league debut in 1988.