Manaea’s Fenway Park troubles continue in A’s ugly loss

The Oakland A’s were a win away from their first sweep at Fenway Park since 1990, but instead took an ugly 8-1 loss against the Red Sox on Thursday night in Boston.

After a clunker in his first start of the season, Sean Manaea had been cruising through a 3-0 record and 2.23 ERA over his last six starts heading into his eighth start on Thursday. The Red Sox had his number; right handed batters, in particular, leapt on Manaea’s sinker early in their atbats and often. The aggressive approach led to a seven-run burst over Manaea’s two-inning outing. He gave up 10 hits and struck out two with one walk.

Though he’s had success against the Red Sox — including a no-hitter at the Coliseum in 2018 — Manaea has yet to find success at Fenway Park. He now has a 16.07 ERA at the old ballpark in four starts, his worst road ERA by a hefty margin (his 7.40 ERA at Angel Stadium comes next).

The Red Sox put three runs on the board in the first inning from their right-handed hitters. Michael Chavis led off with a double and J.D. Martinez hit an RBI single. Xander Bogaerts started his three-hit game off with a two-run home run off the Green Monster’s foul pole.

Bobby Dalbec’s two-run home run in the second inning extended the Red Sox lead to 5-0 and Bogaerts’ RBI double made it 6-0. Manaea left the game with the bases loaded and no outs in the

third inning. Deolis Guerra drew a double play ball that scored a run, then escaped Manaea’s mess.

Boston starter Garrett Richards was dominant through his six shutout innings. The A’s had five hits and three walks, but went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

In familiar confines, former Red Sox Mitch Moreland had two of the A’s seven hits. He scored the A’s only run in the eighth inning from third base on Matt Olson’s groundout.