G95: Athletics 6, Red Sox 4

Red Sox   - 100 012 000 - 4  8  2
Athletics - 012 030 00x - 6 12  0

Clay Buchholz / Gio Gonzalez

McDonald, LF
Lowrie, SS
Ortiz, DH
Youkilis, 1B
Beltre, 3B
Drew, RF
Cameron, CF
Hall, 2B
Brown, C

Buchholz returns to the rotation, making his first start since straining his left hamstring running the bases on June 26 in San Francisco. In his last nine starts, dating back to May 14, he has a 1.59 ERA.

The Red Sox also activated Jed Lowrie (and designated Ryan Shealy for assignment and sent Dustin Richardson to Pawtucket). Lowrie went 11-for-30 (.367) in 10 games with Lowell (A) and Pawtucket (AAA). Of the 11 hits, four were doubles and one was a home run. Lowrie also walked six times.

Peter Gammons says the Red Sox recently offered Lowrie to the Rockies for catcher Chris Iannetta -- and were turned down.

Victor Martinez says "the last couple days have been really a big improvement". He has been wearing a glove and playing catch and is now swinging a bat from the right side. There is a chance he could return for the Angels series next week.

Gustavo Molina cleared waivers and is back in Pawtucket.

This afternoon:

Rays/Orioles, 12:30 PM
Angles/Yankees, 1 PM

July 21:

1959 - The Red Sox become the last team to integrate. Elijah "Pumpsie" Green pinch runs in the eighth inning and plays shortstop. (This is 2½ years after Jackie Robinson has played his last game.)

1988 - Jim Rice is suspended for three games for shoving manager Joe Morgan after Morgan replaced him with pinch-hitter Spike Owen the day before. (20 years later, Rice will forget his own history.)