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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Sal Fasano said before Sunday's game that
if he hit three home runs, he would quit. Luckily, he only hit two.
"Now I can still be here tomorrow," joked Fasano, who also
drove in a career-high five runs as the Oakland Athletics spoiled
Rolando Arrojo's Boston debut by beating the Red Sox 5-2.
|  | | Sal Fasano enjoyed a day he won't soon forget -- a career-high five RBI, with a grand slam and solo shot Sunday that powered Oakland past Boston. |
"It was all Sal," A's manager Art Howe said. "Without him
we're in here talking about a loss. He works hard and plays hard."
Gil Heredia (13-7) pitched 7 1/3 strong innings to win his
fourth straight and give the A's a series split with the Red Sox,
one of their main rivals in the AL wild-card race.
Arrojo (0-1), acquired Thursday in a seven-player deal with
Colorado, lost his fifth straight decision. He walked the bases
loaded in the second before giving up Fasano's first career grand
slam.
"I thought it was just going to hit the wall," Fasano said.
"I didn't think I hit it as hard as I did. It just feels great to
get a chance to contribute offensively as well as defensively."
Fasano added a solo shot in the seventh for his fifth homer of
the year and second career multihomer game.
"I wasn't nervous, but I was rushing my mechanics," said
Arrojo through Pedro Martinez, who was acting as interpreter. "I
think he hit a slider. I was more disappointed in giving up the
three walks beforehand."
Nomar Garciaparra went 1-for-4, lowering his major-league
leading batting average to .392.
"Any time you can keep Nomar off the bases it gives you a
chance," Howe said. "It also helps to keep people off in front of
him."
Heredia matched his career high for victories, allowing two runs
on four hits. He struck out one and walked one. Jason Isringhausen
pitched the ninth for his 23rd save in 28 chances.
"Sometimes you have these outings where you make good pitches
to a team that's aggressive and swings the bat," Heredia said.
"Today I was lucky they were hitting it at someone."
Ben Grieve, Miguel Tejada and Jeremy Giambi walked in the second
ahead of Fasano, who hit a 0-1 pitch from Arrojo over the
left-field fence.
"That's a big part of the A's game," Boston manager Jimy
Williams said. "You give them walks, then their power is going to
hurt you up and down the lineup."
Arrojo allowed five runs, three hits and five walks in 6 1/3
innings.
Scott Hatteberg led off the third for Boston with his seventh
homer, and Jason Varitek led off the fourth with his seventh homer
to make it 4-2.
The Red Sox had two runners on with one out in the eighth, but
relief pitcher Jeff Tam forced pinch-hitter Bernard Gilkey to
ground into a double play.
Game notes
A's bullpen coach Brad Fischer was struck by a batted ball
just above the right eyebrow during batting practice and was taken
to the hospital for treatment. He later returned to the Coliseum.
... A's first base coach Mike Quade was ejected by first base
umpire Rob Drake after arguing a play that ended the bottom of the
fourth inning. Hitting coach Thad Bosley took his place on the
bases. ... Fasano's grand slam was the 10th by the A's this year,
tops in the majors this year and an ongoing franchise record. ...
Boston RHP Bret Saberhagen threw 68 pitches over four innings in a
rehab start on Sunday at Pawtucket. He allowed five runs on six
hits. ... A's OF Terrence Long had his 13-game hitting streak
snapped.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Boston Clubhouse
Oakland Clubhouse
RECAPS
Baltimore 10
Cleveland 7
Tampa Bay 7
Kansas City 6
NY Yankees 7
Minnesota 4
Oakland 5
Boston 2
Seattle 10
Toronto 6
Chi. White Sox 11
Anaheim 7
Detroit 8
Texas 7
Atlanta 6
Houston 3
Cincinnati 7
Montreal 4
Philadelphia 3
Los Angeles 2
San Diego 9
Pittsburgh 8
NY Mets 4
St. Louis 2
Milwaukee 3
Colorado 2
Chicago Cubs 3
San Francisco 1
Florida 4
Arizona 3
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