Game Preview: Red Sox At Athletics

(AP) - Boston Red Sox starter Justin Masterson has never won in six starts at Oakland.

The Athletics, however, can't feel too confident since they've lost six in a row and have dropped five straight starts by Drew Pomeranz.

Both pitchers look to buck those trends when this three-game set continues Tuesday night.

Masterson (2-1, 5.18 ERA) is 0-5 with a 7.02 ERA as a starter in Oakland, losing his first five outings there before he went seven innings on opening day last year for Cleveland in a 2-0 victory.

The right-hander has fared well against a number of Athletics regulars, including Billy Butler (.209 against him), Josh Reddick (.217) and Eric Sogard (2 for 11).

Boston (15-17) has lost three straight starts by Masterson. In last Wednesday's 5-3 defeat to Tampa Bay, he gave up four runs over a season-low 4 1-3 innings.

Oakland (12-22) is enduring its longest losing streak since a nine-game skid May 22-June 1, 2012. It's very possible it won't end Tuesday since Pomeranz (1-3, 5.12) is 0-3 with a 6.57 ERA in his last five outings.

The left-hander gave up six runs over a season-low 4 1-3 innings in Thursday's 6-5 defeat at Minnesota, matching a career high with five walks.

Pomeranz has never started against the Red Sox, making two relief appearances against them. The Boston hitter he has faced the most is Shane Victorino, who is 4 for 6 against him.

Victorino went 0 for 4 on Monday after he was activated from the 15-day disabled list after being out since April 22 with a strained right hamstring.

The Athletics continued their woes in close games with a 5-4, 11-inning defeat in the series opener. They are 0-6 in extra innings, 1-11 in one-run games and one of two teams yet to win a game in their final at-bat along with Cleveland.

"It's the same story here," manager Bob Melvin said. "It's getting tough to explain. It seems like we've played this game so many times this year that it's a little bit surreal. But we have to come out tomorrow and try to break through."

Boston's hero was a familiar face in the Bay Area, as former San Francisco slugger Pablo Sandoval homered leading off the 11th inning for the eventual winning run. Sandoval made his return to the region a triumphant one after receiving his latest World Series ring from Giants manager Bruce Bochy the night before at the hotel.

"It's exciting and emotional getting the ring and hitting the homer to win the game," Sandoval said. "It was a big day for me."

The Red Sox can match a season-high three-game win streak from April 9-11. They saw a familiar face Monday when Oakland reliever Edward Mujica made his club debut with a perfect inning two days after he was dealt by Boston to the Athletics.

Oakland slugger Ike Davis' status is uncertain after he left in the bottom of the fourth with a strained left quadriceps muscle.

Center fielder Coco Crisp is hitless in 21 at-bats to begin 2015.

These teams have the AL's worst records in May, with Boston at 3-7 and Oakland at 3-8.

Updated May 12, 2015