Wengert Responds on Short Notice

Don Wengert, pressed into starting duty four minutes before game time, held Boston to one run over five innings as the Oakland Athletics ended their four-game losing streak by beating the Red Sox, 5-2.

“They gave me the ball and said ‘You’re starting,’ ” said Wengert (5-9). “I don’t think we can do this every time. It worked out well today, but I don’t want to make a habit of it.”

Starter Steve Wojciechowski was scratched beforehand because of irritation in his left ulnar nerve, which will likely place him on the disabled list.

Scott Brosius hit a solo homer and a sacrifice fly, and Damon Mashore and Jose Canseco also homered for the Athletics.

Tim Wakefield (4-11) gave up four runs and nine hits in seven innings. He had thrown consecutive complete games, posting a 1.50 ERA since the All-Star break.

Boston got Nomar Garciaparra’s leadoff homer and three more hits in the third inning, but Wengert escaped further damage when both Jeff Frye and Mo Vaughn were thrown out trying to stretch singles into doubles. Wilfredo Cordero struck out to end the inning.

“We’ve got nothing to lose,” said Vaughn, whose team lost for only the second time in eight games but still is in last place in the East. “I’ve just been running hard and trying to be as aggressive as you can. I’d rather have that than us laying back.”