Donaldson, A's Walk Off In Extras, Beat BoSox 3-2
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Josh Donaldson performed like an All-Star, though he'll be spending his break somewhere other than Citi Field New York.
Donaldson homered, then blooped an RBI single with two outs in the 11th inning as the Oakland Athletics beat Boston 3-2 Sunday despite a stellar start by Red Sox rookie Brandon Workman.
"I got jammed and was able to dink it in," Donaldson said. "It was awesome."
He heads into the break hitting .310 with 16 home runs and 61 RBIs. Numbers only AL All-Star third basemen Miguel Cabrera and backup Manny Machado can rival.
"In our hearts and minds he's an All-Star," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "Not only did he knock in the winning run, he knocked in all three runs. That's a pretty good first half but there was no room for him."
Workman took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning of his first major league start. Coco Crisp broke it up with a leadoff infield single.
He became the first Red Sox pitcher in 79 years to allow three or fewer baserunners in his first major league start.
Workman had pitched in only one big league game, getting roughed up over two innings in relief at Seattle on Wednesday. He became the third rookie in four days to pitch no-hit ball into the sixth inning of his first big league start - Houston's Jarred Cosart and Cleveland's Danny Salazar did it in their major league debuts.
Donaldson hit a two-run homer off Workman to tie it in the seventh, then singled with two outs in the 11th. Matt Thornton (0-4) lost in his Red Sox debut.
"That was pretty much all I have right there," Donaldson said of his blast. "He made a mistake. I hit it hard."
Ryan Cook (2-2) worked two innings for the victory.
"It's kind of our motto since the end of last year to just keep grinding," Cook said. "We have a good feeling every day."
Pinch-hitter Chris Young drew a leadoff walk in the Oakland 11th and moved up on a sacrifice. After a two-out walk, Donaldson singled to right field.
"I know he's an aggressive hitter and he's looking to win the game right there," Thornton said. "I'm looking to make a pitch down and in. I thought I made a pretty good pitch and he was able to fist it over there and drop it right in the perfect spot. If you don't walk the leadoff guy, that situation doesn't come around."
Dustin Pedroia and Brock Holt each drove in a run for the Red Sox, who have not won a series in Oakland since July of 2006.
Workman gave up two hits, walked one and struck out five in 6 1-3 innings. The 24-year-old righty was a combined 8-2 at Triple-A and Double-A this season.
"He was very poised, very good mound presence, good composure," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "I thought he had very good stuff. He stayed out of the middle of the plate for most of the day, multiple pitches for strikes."
All-Star Bartolo Colon gave up two runs on eight hits over 6 1-3 innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out four. The Oakland pitcher will not play in the All-Star game after starting Sunday.
The Red Sox loaded the bases with two outs without benefit of a hit in the 11th before Cook caught Holt looking at a called third strike.
Colon retired 14 in a row before giving up Ellsbury's single leading off the sixth. After Daniel Nava singled, Pedroia followed with an RBI single to give the Red Sox a 1-0 lead.
Mike Carp doubled to lead off the seventh and scored on Holt's single, which ended Colon's day.
Jonny Gomes was ejected from the game after striking out to lead off the ninth. Gomes tried to call time, but it was not granted and he took a weak swing for the third strike.
NOTES: Donaldson has 16 home runs, the most home runs by an A's third baseman since Eric Chavez hit 26 in 2005. ... Oakland All-Star reliever Grant Balfour struck out the side in the ninth. ... Red Sox LHP Drake Britton was called up from Triple-A Pawtucket and OF Jackie Bradley Jr. was optioned to Pawtucket. ... Red Sox RHP Clay Buchholz (9-0, 1.71) threw a second bullpen session before the game and will likely throw one more on Tuesday before making a rehab start. ... Red Sox IF Stephen Drew could return to action on Friday when the Yankees visit Fenway Park. Manager John Farrell also suggested he might be able to get a few at-bats Thursday with Pawtucket. ... A's LHP Brett Anderson is close to throwing off a mound. Manager Bob Melvin said once he throws a bullpen session, the team will have a better idea of his rehab schedule. Melvin, along with Pedroia, were recently added to the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame. ... Balfour, the only major league closer without a blown save, was added to the AL All-Star team when Colon threw his first pitch. ... The A's enter the All-Star break with a winning record for the first time in five years. ... Gomes recorded his third career ejection and his first since June 5, 2008. ... Colon made career appearance No. 400. He did not walk a batter for the 10th time in 19 starts.
