Humiliation: Sox suffer epic blowout

The Athletics proved merciless in their destruction of the Red Sox pitching staff, amassing 19 hits -- including five homers -- en route to a 20-2 romp over the Sox in Oakland. The 20-run yield was the largest by the Sox since Aug. 21, 2009, against the Yankees. The 18-run margin of defeat was the largest that the Sox had endured since a 22-1 loss to the Yankees in 2000.

An Oakland offense that is typically among the most anemic in the majors exploded for its highest run total since plating 23 in Texas in 2000. The eruption started early against Aaron Cook, who lasted just 2 2/3 innings while permitting six runs on seven hits. Things got little better from that point, particularly in a nine-run seventh inning in which the A's teed off on former Oakland pitcher Craig Breslow (1/3 inning, five runs (four earned), three hits, walk) and Mark Melancon, who was charged with four runs while giving up a walk and three hits, the most notable of which was a grand slam by former Red Sox outfielder Josh Reddick, the 28th blast of the year by the 25-year-old.

Another former Sox, Brandon Moss, had an even more impressive game, going 4-for-5 with a homer and two doubles while driving in four. The four hits and four RBI were both new career highs, while Moss' three extra-base hits matched his career standard. And former Sox catcher George Kottaras continued the plunder, going 3-for-5 with two homers and driving in five.

Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a solo homer, his 23rd of the year, to move within three of Carlton Fisk for the most homers by a Sox catcher in a single season. That was just about the lone positive for the Sox, who had nine hits but went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Daniel Bard, in his first big league appearance since June, worked an inning in which he allowed two hits, including a solo homer. He neither walked nor struck out a batter, throwing 10 of 18 pitches for strikes.

The loss dropped the Sox to 9-20 in August, and over the last calendar year, their record is now 69-91.

For a full account of the atrocity committed in Oakland, click here for a recap. For complete Red Sox coverage, visit weei.com/redsox.