A's starter Paul Blackburn scratched because of illness

BOSTON --Oakland Athletics scheduled starting pitcher Paul Blackburn has been scratched because of an illness for Saturday's game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

The team made the announcement about 90 minutes before the scheduled start.

Blackburn (1-1, 4.50 ERA) is scheduled to be replaced by right-hander Austin Pruitt (1-5, 2.93).

Oakland, which has the majors' worst record, lost the opener of a three-game series against Boston on Friday night.