Hardin squirms out of bases-loaded jam

OAKLAND - The Red Sox might kick their collective selves after loading the bases with nobody out in the first inning and then going down 1-2-3 to Rich Harden.

This is the sign of a pitcher with great stuff. He allowed a leadoff single to Dustin Pedroia, walked both Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz to bring up Manny Ramirez.

Harden then flicked on the hi-test.

He struck out Ramirez with over-powering fastballs that registered at 97. He then struck out Lowell on a split-fingered pitch. J.D. Drew, back in the lineup after missing the first three games with a sore back, grounded out weakly to first (sounded like a broken bat) to end the inning.

That was that.

Now we'll see what Jon Lester's got.