Offense Takes the Night Off In 4-2 Loss To A's

The Oakland Athletics touched up Red Sox starter Daniel Bard for 3 runs on 4 hits and a hit batter in the top of the 6th inning en route to a 4-2 victory over Boston on another raw night at Fenway Park.

Rookie Will Middlebrooks, called up from Pawtucket after Kevin Youkilis was placed on the 15-day DL with back issues, had quite the night with a walk, an infield hit, and a double in his 1st 3 at bats.

Oakland starter Brandon McCarthy limited the Red Sox to 5 hits over 7 innings; the one run he was charged with came on a sacrifice fly by Marlon Byrd in the Boston half of the 7th.

Clayton Mortensen pitched 3 excellent innings out of the bullpen for the Red Sox. He allowed 1 hit while striking out 6. He came to Boston in the trade that sent Marco Scutaro to the Rockies.

NOTES - Brian Fuentes recorded the 200th save of his career.

The Red Sox were 0-12 with runners in scoring position. Adrian Gonzalez is 0 for his last 15 at bats.

In addition to Youkilis going on the disabled list, the Red Sox said before the game that Josh Beckett will skip his next start due to a sore right lat. Beckett threw a career-high 126 pitches in his last start. Right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook will start in place of Beckett on Saturday.

Boston signed pitcher Mark Prior to a minor league deal on Wednesday. He is expected to pitch out of the bullpen for the time being.

Both teams wore uniforms from 1936. In the Athletics' case, they were based in Philadelphia at that time.