At .500 for the first time in 2008 with a mark of 10-10, the A's failed to improve with an 8-3 loss to the Y-D Red Sox Wednesday night at Veterans Field. Sammy Solis, from San Diego, had been one of the best pitchers in the league through his first three starts, winning all three times with an ERA of just 1.00. He was victimized by unearned runs on Wednesday. In the third, Ryan Ortiz hit a grounder to third with two men on and two outs. Victor Sanchez threw high to first, scoring two, and allowing the inning to continue. Tony Sanchez then singled, driving in Ortiz. It would have been a 4-0 Y-D lead, as Mike Belfiore singled as well, but a strong throw from leftfielder Evan Ocheltree caught Sanchez at the plate, ending the inning.

The 3-0 lead was all Red Sox starter Jerry Sullivan needed. With runs in the fifth and eighth, the Oral Roberts righthander went seven-plus innings, giving up just four hits and two runs, while striking out seven. Two of the four hits came in the eighth inning, as Joe Mercurio and Grant Green led off with singles. MIke Belifore moved from first base to pitcher, and walked Kyle Seager to load the bases. Cory Olson's single scored Mercurio, while Yan Gomes drove in Green with a groundout to first. Evan Ocheltree struck out, before Victor Sanchez singled up the middle, scoring Seager, and bringing the A's to within two runs.

Dave Hale came out of the bullpen to attempt to keep the deficit at two, but was unable. With two outs and two men on, he walked Belfiore to load the bases, before Marmion and Ochinko drove in runs. Keenan Wiley did the same, reestablishing the lead at 5, 8-3. The A's bats could not threaten further, as they went down 8-3, falling to 10-11 on the season. Sammy Solis was the loser for the first time this year, with his record moving to 3-1, while Jerry Sullivan improves to 2-1. The A's send Justin Marks to the mound Thursday at 7 PM in Harwich against the Mariners. The A's Extra Pregame Show begins at 6:40 on chathamas.com