Game Info
Date: Sunday, September 18th, 2005
First Pitch: 2:05 pm ET
TV: NESN
Starting Pitchers:
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/6946.jpghttp://bellsouthpwp.net/c/h/chinigor/TALKSOX/VS.GIFhttp://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/6099.jpg
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/oak.gif #31 Kirk Saarloos (9-7, 3.89)
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/bos.gif #30 Matt Clement (13-5, 4.33)
Red Sox go for three in a row in finale
Oakland (81-67) at Boston (87-61), 2:05 p.m. ET
The Red Sox will look to close out their brief four-game homestand with a third consecutive win against the A's when the teams meet Sunday in the series finale.
Boston, which still leads New York by 1 1/2 games in the American League East, will send Matt Clement to the hill against fellow right-hander Kirk Saarloos.
The Red Sox recorded their 14th consecutive one-run home victory on Saturday, becoming the first team this year to record 50 wins on home turf in the process.
Sunday will mark the final regular season meeting between the two clubs, with Boston having captured six of the first nine encounters.
Pitching matchup
OAK: RHP Kirk Saarloos
• 9-7, 3.89 ERA in 2005
• 0-0, 2.45 ERA vs. BOS in 2005
BOS: RHP Matt Clement
• 13-5, 4.33 ERA in 2005
• 0-0, 4.26 ERA vs. OAK in 2005
Player to watch
Mike Timlin recorded his ninth save of the season on Saturday, marking his most since earning 12 in 2000 with the Orioles and Cardinals. Timlin is 7-2 with a 1.91 ERA in 75 games, one appearance shy of his career best set last season.
Quotable
"It's our team's responsibility to try and win. However we're going to do it, I think we do a really good job of that. We just try to win, whether we pinch-hit, use extra players, pinch-run, use our bullpen or use nobody -- we just want to win." -- Red Sox manager Terry Francona, on his use of the pitching staff in the month of September
Quick hits
Saturday's win put the Red Sox a season-high 26 games over .500 for a second time this season. They were also 26 over at 82-56. ... The Sox have won 14 of their last 21 games and 33 of 49. ... The Red Sox are 50-23 (.685) at Fenway Park, marking baseball's best home record. The Sox have at least 50 home wins for the 13th time in club history and the third season in a row. Only the 1986-88 Red Sox can claim that distinction. ... Jonathan Papelbon threw a scoreless eighth inning on Saturday, and he has yet to allow a run in five appearances this month. ... After collecting just three hits in his previous 19 at-bats over six games, Johnny Damon went 2-for-4 on Saturday.
On deck
• Monday: at Tampa Bay, 7:15 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: at Tampa Bay, 7:15 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: at Tampa Bay, 7:15 p.m. ET