Dice-K makes early exit in Red Sox loss

Daisuke Matsuzaka’s latest bid for his 50th career win was done in when he failed to retire a single batter in the second inning.

Now, he might have to wait a few weeks longer with a possible disabled list stint for a stiff neck on the horizon.

Matsuzaka allowed home runs to former teammates Josh Reddick and Brandon Moss and the Boston Red Sox lost to the Oakland Athletics 6-1 on Monday night.

Matsuzaka (0-3) has been dealing with a stiff neck that prevented him from throwing a bullpen session between starts and he struggled right from the start against the A’s, allowing five runs in a one-plus inning.

“Dice obviously didn’t have his good stuff tonight,” manager Bobby Valentine said. “He went out with a big crick in his neck. We were hoping he was going to work through it. As it turns out, he didn’t work through it.”

Jarrod Parker (5-3) was the beneficiary of the early offense, allowing one run and six hits in six 2-3 innings.

“It seems like it’s the same game every time,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “They get one run. Today started off a little spotty for him, a double in the corner and they score a run early. It looked like maybe he didn’t have his best stuff. He then certainly did his thing.” AP