Doubront struggles as A's top Red Sox

The Red Sox once again failed to creep over .500, dropping a 5-3 decision to the A's, at a rainy Fenway Park Tuesday night.

Taking the loss was Sox' starter Felix Doubront, who has a 5.19 ERA after giving up five runs on six hits over four innings. The lefty, who threw 94 pitches (58 strikes), did strike out eight while walking one.

Doubront's downfall came in the fourth inning, when he gave up four runs on 30 pitches. He also threw 30 pitches in the first inning, which Oakland used to get out to a 1-0 lead on Yoenis Cespedes' RBI single.

The Sox managed to get the tying run to first in the ninth inning after Mike Aviles' drove in a pair with a one-out, two RBI single against A's reliever Grant Balfour. But a Lars Anderson strikeout and Dustin Pedroia ground out to second ended the host's threat.

The Red Sox had little success against Oakland starting pitcher Jarrod Parker, whose only surrendered run came on a David Ortiz ground out in the fourth inning, scoring Dustin Pedroia.

Another lowlight for the Red Sox came in the form of four steals of third base by the A's.

For more Red Sox news, go to the team page at weei.com/redsox [1].