BOSTON -- The A's have been undone by plenty of wobbly bullpen performances this season. Just not like this. Not when their two most reliable relievers, setup man Evan Scribner and closer Tyler Clippard, are on the mound.
Oakland's best late-inning relievers couldn't hold down a three-run lead in the eighth, watching seven Red Sox runs score in a disheartening 7-4 series-sweeping loss at Fenway Park on Sunday.
"They've been pitching great," said A's manager Bob Melvin. "Just didn't get it done."
Starter Kendall Graveman departed after giving up a solo shot to Rusney Castillo to begin the fateful frame, and Scribner, facing the top of the Red Sox's order, allowed singles to each of his three batters to narrow Oakland's lead to two.