the second game of the season, 7–6. Brian Johnson got the win in relief, with Matt Barnes picking up the team's first save of the season. Mitch Moreland's three-run home run in the ninth inning provided the winning margin. A late Boston rally in the third game of the series came up a run short, as Seattle held on for a 6–5 win. Boston again rallied late in the fourth game, loading the bases with one out in the ninth, but fell two runs short, losing 10–8. During the series, only one Red Sox starting pitcher, Nathan Eovaldi in the second game, lasted five innings. Red Sox lost the series 1–3 (24–34 runs) April April 1–April 4, at Oakland Athletics The Red Sox were held scoreless in the first two games of the series, falling to the Athletics by scores of 7–0 and 1–0. It was Boston's first time being shutout back-to-back since their 2015 season. Each game featured an outfield assist by Oakland center fielder Ramón Laureano to retire Xander Bogaerts; at home in the first game, and at third base in the second game. The Red Sox ended their four-game losing streak with a 6–3 win in the third game of the series. Blake Swihart was 3-for-4 at the plate including a home run, while Ryan Brasier recorded his first major league save. In the final game of the series, J. D. Martinez hit his third home run of the season, but the Red Sox were unable to win consecutive games, losing 7–3. Boston's 2–6 start was the worst for a defending World Series champion since the 1998 Florida Marlins, who were 1–7 through eight games played. Red Sox lost the series 1–3 (9–18 runs) April 5–April 7, at Arizona Diamondbacks Boston fell to Arizona in the Diamondbacks' home opener, 15–8, after falling behind 14–1 through six innings. Starter Rick Porcello allowed 10 hits and seven runs in innings, followed by Brian Johnson who allowed six hits and seven runs in innings. Late in the game, both Mookie Betts and Mitch Moreland homered, while infielder Eduardo Núñez pitched an inning in relief. The second game of the series was tied in the bottom of the ninth, when Betts threw out Eduardo Escobar at the plate as he attempted to score from second on a single to right. However, a two-out walk-off single by the next batter, catcher Carson