Andrew Benintendi and J.D. Martinez. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Red Sox opened a seven-game homestand with a 6-5 loss to the Athletics last night and, since the Yankees were off, Boston's a half-game behind New York for the best record in baseball.
Still, that's pretty good!
Sox are 28-13--their best record thru 41 games since they won a World Series in 2007.
How does Xander Bogaerts feel about the team's first quarter of the year?
"We play together, we feed off each other," he said. "We obviously have some guys doing a great job hitting the ball real well. Until all the other guys pick up, they've been carrying us. We're hoping it continues. It's a long season, so we've got a lot more games."
Dustin Pedroia's Rehab Underway, Nearing Return To Red Sox
Pedroia began his rehab assignment for Triple-A Pawtucket and went 1-3 with a single and a run scored in five innings of work playing second base.
Granted, Sox are struggling lately--just 11-11 their last 22.
Eduardo Rodriguez will toe the rubber tonight in the 7:10 p.m. start at Fenway. The lefty only allowed one hit in five shutout innings last Thursday in the Bronx. He's 3-0 this year and has a 1.64 lifetime ERA against the A's in three appearances.
Oakland will counter with Daniel Mengden. The righty's faced Boston twice in his career--both times out west--and his ERA is 8! But, Mengden's only given up three runs in two starts this month.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports