Jonathan Papelbon, Boston's marquee closer, blew his first save of the season against the Athletics, and saw his hitherto sparkling ERA swell. Rookie outfielder Travis Buck hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth, and Dan Johnson hit the go-ahead RBI double in the tenth off reliever Brendan Donnelly to halt the rolling Sox 5-4.
Papelbon had cemented eight saves in 9.1 innings, including three against the arch-foe Yankees; Buck's homer thickened Pap's ERA to a human 1.74. The blown save voided a seven-inning, two-run start by Curt Schilling. (More MLB stories.)