A's get one

OAKLAND - Alex Cora is considered one of the smartest players in the game and future managerial timber. So it was a little surprising when he decided to go home with Emil Brown's grounder in the second inning. His throw was late to Jason Varitek in trying to nail Mike Sweeney (Varitek also dropped the ball).

Cora must have sensed that Sweeney is a slow runner. But so early in the game, managers like to see their infielder's opt for the sure out. Sweeney poked a double just inside the left-field line when he reached out for an outside pitch. He was moved to third on a sac bunt by Ryan Sweeney. Mark Ellis also singled in the inning but Beckett retired the final two batters - No. 9 hitter Kurt Suzuki and leadoff man Jack Hannahan, to wiggle out of further harm.