Six strong innings of work.  Nine batters struck-out.  Only three hits and one run allowed.  Oakland gets the victory 5 -1 over Boston.

As I read those first few sentences, I can't help but be excited about the pitching performance from Rich Harden this morning.  He looked damn near untouchable at times.  Of the three hits, he gave up a solo shot to Manny Ramirez in the sixth, Harden's last inning of work.  Other than that, he was amazing.  He really looked like the dominant ace that Oakland had hoped for before all of the injuries set him back.

Not only was Harden impressive, but the relief pitchers were very impressive as well.  Santiago Casilla, Keith Foulke, and Alan Embree combined for three innings pitched and gave up two hits, while striking out four.

On the offensive side of things, Oakland had nine hits and drew four walks.  Never thought that I would type this, but two former Royals supplied most of the offense.  Emil Brown hit a three-run home run in the third inning and Mike Sweeney was 2-4 on the day. 

Brown came through after costing Oakland the game yesterday on a base running error in the 10th inning.  Brown doubled in a run, but was tagged out at third trying to stretch it out.  The following two Oakland batters hit singles and Brown would have easily scored the tying run.  Instead, he ran the A's out of the game.

Now that the two game series is over with, the two teams will head back home.  The A's will play their annual Bay series with the Giants on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  They will then play the Red Sox again on Tuesday, April 1st and Wednesday, April 2nd.