Red Sox ejected, dejected

And Bowden, the newly converted reliever, didn’t deliver. Instead, Kouzmanoff dunked a game-winning single into right field, which gave the A’s a 5-4 victory and left the Sox 3-8 in extra innings.

But that was hardly the whole story of the inning.

Coco Crisp started it by arguing a balls-and-strikes call with Davidson that left the former Sox center fielder ejected and needing to be restrained, although that didn’t really affect the outcome. The balk call, on the other hand, did.

“It was interpreted by Bob Davidson as a balk,’’ pitching coach John Farrell said. Asked if he saw it that way, Farrell said, “In real time? No. With the benefit of hindsight? Apparently he saw something that was not consistent with his other set position.’’

Manager Terry Francona said, “I didn’t see it. He saw something that nobody else in our dugout saw. Can’t get him to reverse it.’’

So with Barton moving to second, Ramirez intentionally walked Suzuki to set up the force. Then, when Dustin Richardson was brought in to face pinch-hitter Adam Rosales, Davidson provided some more moments. On a 2-and-2 pitch, Davidson ruled Rosales had not gone around on a check swing. That decision didn’t sit well with the Sox, with Farrell offering some choice words from the dugout. He was tossed, too.

“I saw a pretty full swing,’’ Farrell said. “Obviously there was a differing of opinions.’’

On came Bowden, with the Sox hoping to save Scott Atchison for today’s game, unwilling to bring in closer Jonathan Papelbon in a tie game on the road.

“Had [Bowden] not performed the way he did out of the bullpen in Pawtucket, we probably wouldn’t see him here,’’ Farrell said. “But he’s been very solid out of the pen. He’s come in, he’s thrown strikes. He’s had some swing-and-misses, which he showed in the at-bat to Kouzmanoff. His overall development has been not only positive, but it’s been consistent in that role, and to the point where we don’t have any hesitation to use him in a tight spot like that tonight.’’