Red Sox reactions: Connor Wong’s ninth-inning homer not enough, road winning streak ends at 10

WEST SACRAMENTO — Instant reactions from the Red Sox‘ 4-3 loss to the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Tuesday:

1. The Red Sox dropped to 55-51 while the Athletics improved to 45-62. The loss ended Boston‘s 10-game road winning streak dating back to July 3.

2. Connor Wong blasted a two-out, two-run home run off A’s lefty Hogan Harris to cut Boston’s deficit to 4-3 in the ninth. Anthony Seigler made an attempt to tie it but flied out 397 feet to center field to end the game. It would have been a home run in seven other major league parks.

The A’s had scored in the eighth inning to go ahead by three runs.

3. Boston made a questionable decision in the seventh inning to play for one run while trailing 1-0 after Athletics starter Gage Jump left the game following six dominant innings.

Ceddanne Rafaela led off with a sharp single to right field against reliever Luis Medina.

Caleb Durbin has been one of Boston’s better hitters since late May but he laid down a sacrifice bunt. It moved Rafaela to second base but Jarren Duran struck out swinging and Andruw Monasterio flied out.

4. The A’s went ahead 3-0 immediately after Boston failed to capitalize on Rafaela’s leadoff single. Red Sox rookie starter Jake Bennett allowed a 419-foot two-run home run to Brian Serven with one out in the seventh after the A’s laid down their own sac bunt.

5. Romy Gonzalez continues to struggle since his return from the IL on June 28, grounding into a double play in the eighth inning after the first two runners reached. Pinch hitter Masataka Yoshida singled to lead off the inning. Anthony Seigler, also pinch hitting, followed with a walk. But Gonzalez grounded into a 4-3 double play. He’s 12 for 60 (.200) this season.

6. The Red Sox managed to score once in the eighth inning after Gonzalez’s double play. Willson Contreras walked to put runners on the corners. Wilyer Abreu then delivered an RBI single, making it 3-1. Ceddanne Rafaela struck out to end the inning with two men on base.

7. Bennett allowed three runs, six hits and two walks while striking out four in 6 ⅓ innings.

8. A’s left-handed starter Gage Jump, a 2024 second-round pick out of LSU, dominated over six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while pitching around four walks and recording 19 swings and misses. He lowered his ERA from 4.42 to 4.00.

9. For a second straight game, the A’s took an early 1-0 lead. Henry Bolte’s RBI single off Bennett in the second inning put them ahead.

10. Boston squandered an opportunity in the first inning after Jahmai Jones led off with a double. Willson Contreras walked with one out but Wilyer Abreu grounded into an inning-ending double play.

11. The Sox also stranded two base runners in the second inning. Durbin singled with one out and stole second base. Andruw Monasterio walked with two outs. But Carlos Narváez struck out looking to end the inning.

12. Before the game, the Red Sox received a devastating blow. An MRI revealed Curtis Mead — the second baseman who Boston acquired Saturday from the Nationals — fractured his wrist. The injury occurred when he got hit by a 94.9 mph fastball in his Red Sox debut on Monday.

13. The Red Sox and Athletics will play the third game of their four-game series on Wednesday. Lefty Patrick Sandoval (0-0, 3.21 ERA) will start for the Red Sox while left-hander Jacob Lopez (5-4, 6.12 ERA) will start for the A’s.

• BETTING: Red Sox -1.5 run line odds are listed at +105 on DraftKings for Wednesday’s matchup versus the Athletics. Our comprehensive DraftKings Sportsbook review provides a helpful guide on how to use their app. Also, check out our MLB betting guide, which has you covere if you’re interested in learning more about how to bet on baseball.

BETTING: Red Sox -1.5 run line odds are listed at +105 on DraftKings for Wednesday’s matchup versus the Athletics. Our comprehensive DraftKings Sportsbook review provides a helpful guide on how to use their app. Also, check out our MLB betting guide, which has you covere if you’re interested in learning more about how to bet on baseball.

14. Infielder Nick Sogard will replace Mead on the Red Sox’ 26-man roster Wednesday. Sogard did not make it across the country in time to be activated for Tuesday’s game.

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