end in college and switched to outside linebacker in Dallas 3-4 defens

OAKLAND, Calif. -- This marked a small victory for the last-place Athletics: They nearly got no-hit for the first time in 2 1/2 decades, yet still held the mighty Boston Red Sox scoreless in their last matchup of the season after allowing 67 runs over the first five meetings.Oh, and Oakland won 1-0.Eduardo Rodriguezs no-hit bid for Boston got broken up after a replay reversal with two outs in the eighth inning Sunday, and Khris Davis hit a game-ending double in the ninth that helped the As snap a five-game losing streak overall and nine-game skid to the Red Sox.Oakland starter Kendall Graveman struck out seven in 6 1/3 sharp innings.You know theyre going to put some good swings on you and today a couple of balls were hit hard right at people, and that helped us, he said.In the ninth, Brock Holt misplayed Davis double in deep left field for an error that allowed Danny Valencia to score from first base. Valencia drew a leadoff walk against Craig Kimbrel (2-4), and Oakland averted a three-game sweep.Semien reached on an infield single in the eighth after Rodriguez stuck out his right leg to knock down a grounder. The left-hander located the ball on the mound, scooped it up and threw to first, where Semien initially was ruled out by umpire Laz Diaz.As manager Bob Melvin challenged the call, which was overturned after a replay review that took approximately 19 seconds. Replays clearly showed Semien was safe, just as Rodriguez knew they would.Rodriguez got the final out of the inning, keeping the game scoreless. But after that, his day was done.He was outstanding and unfortunately he gets a ball off his shoe that he cant seemingly find, and thats the end of a potentially history-making day here, Boston manager John Farrell said.Jon Lester tossed the most recent no-hitter for the Red Sox on May 19, 2008, against Kansas City.Boston right-hander Rick Porcello carried a bid for a perfect game into the sixth inning of an 11-2 victory Saturday. Jake Smolinski broke that one up with a double.Oakland has not been held without a hit since four Orioles pitchers turned the trick on July 13, 1991 -- the longest active streak in the majors.Ryan Madson (5-4) pitched the ninth for the win.Retiring Red Sox slugger David Ortiz received a standing ovation before his initial at-bat, when he struck out swinging to end the first.He went 0 for 2 with two strikeouts and two walks after going 5 for 6 with five RBI in the first two games of the series.Itd be nice if he took a day off, Melvin joked before the game. Hes performing as well as he ever has.After Boston outscored Oakland 27-4 over the previous two games, neither team could capitalize Sunday until the very end.The Red Sox had put up at least 11 runs in all five previous meetings this year, including 16 in Fridays series opener.Oaklands first win in six tries against the Red Sox meant the As avoided going winless for the fourth time against an AL team in one season. They went 0-11 against Baltimore in 1978, 0-7 versus Cleveland in 1995 and 0-6 when facing the Indians in 1994.Davis appreciated Graveman hanging tough for everybody.Early in the game I was a little frustrated with the umpires and he showed some leadership by just letting me know that he needs me out there, Davis said. And that showed up late in the game, so give him credit.Dustin Pedroia has an 11-game hitting streak and has hit in 20 straight against the As.MONCADAS FIRSTSCuban star Yoan Moncada made his major league debut Friday for Boston, got his first hit and RBI with a run-scoring double Saturday, then was picked off and committed an error at third base Sunday.His glove came through when it mattered behind Rodriguez: Moncada snagged Billy Butlers hard liner to start the seventh.TRAINERS ROOMAthletics: Rehabbing pitchers Felix Doubront (left elbow) and Chris Bassitt (right elbow) were scheduled to play catch out to 90 feet Monday as they each recover from Tommy John surgery.UP NEXTAthletics RHP Raul Alcantara will make his major league debut Monday against the visiting Los Angeles Angels.Toronto Blue Jays Pro Shop . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. Blue Jays Jerseys 2019 . Tests earlier this week revealed a Grade 2 left hamstring strain for Sabathia, who was hurt in last Fridays start against San Francisco. Its an injury that will require about eight weeks to heal. He finished a disappointing campaign just 14-13 with a career-worst 4. https://www.cheapbluejays.com/ . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. Custom Toronto Blue Jays Jerseys .H. -- Matt Kenseth made it 2 for 2 in the Chase, holding off teammate Kyle Busch to win Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Toronto Blue Jays Store . -- Stanfords Kevin Danser knelt on one knee and hardly moved on the sideline as Michigan State celebrated its Rose Bowl victory and his Cardinal teammates made their way to the locker room.NEW ORLEANS -- An MRI indicates that New Orleans outside linebacker Victor Butler has a torn anterior cruciate ligament, but it is too early to speculate on whether he will miss the whole season, a person familiar with the situation said Wednesday. The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Saints have not disclosed the injury, said Butler will travel to Gulf Breeze, Fla., next week to seek a second opinion from noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. The person said there remains hope that even if Butler starts the season on injured reserve, he could return as Ray Lewis did for the defending champion Baltimore Ravens late last season. The Times-Picayune first reported the MRI results for Butler, who went down during a non-contact practice on Tuesday after a collision with running back Mark Ingram. When Sean Payton addressed Butlers injury after Tuesdays practice, he said he was under the impression that the players had simply knocked knees and that Butler was not seriously injured. "I think he is going to be fine, actually," Payton said. "So we are fortunate." However, the initial MRI indicates that Butler and his new team were not fortunate at all. On Wednesday, Payton, and general manager Mickey Loomis did not respond to requests for comment on the apparent seriousness of Butlers injury. A team sspokesman said only that the Saints would have no update.dddddddddddd The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Butler arrived in New Orleans this year, signing a two-year, $3 million free-agent contract, after spending his first four seasons in Dallas, which selected him out of Oregon State in the fourth round of the 2009 draft. Butler who was a defensive end in college and switched to outside linebacker in Dallas 3-4 defensive scheme, served a backup role behind DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer with the Cowboys. He was expected to compete for a starting role under new Saints defensive co-ordinator Rob Ryan, who was Butlers defensive co-ordinator in Dallas for the past two seasons and who heavily recruited Butler to New Orleans. Last season, Butler played in all 16 games with one start and was credited with a career-high 24 tackles, three sacks, a tackle for a loss, three passes defended and a forced fumble. He also played on special teams, a role in which he was credited with four stops and a forced fumble. Butler had benchmarks in his contract that would have allowed him to void the second year of the deal and enter free agency after one season -- something he was expected to do as a starter. The first $1.5 million of Butlers contract is guaranteed, but the injury may force him to play out his contract in New Orleans before getting his next shot at free agency. ' ' '