OAKLAND -- Bryan Corey knows that when Josh Beckett is activated this weekend, a reliever has to go to make room. And when Mike Timlin returns on the upcoming homestand, another will be sacrificed to create roster space.

So Corey is trying to impress the Red Sox with every opportunity he gets in the early going, without putting too much pressure on himself along the way.

He succeeded yesterday, tossing an inning and a third of scoreless relief. He took over for Jon Lester with two out and one on in the seventh, then pitched the eighth, allowing just a leadoff single.

“In my situation,” he said, “every day you have to prove yourself. I have little or no margin for error. Hopefully, I can put a string together and have some good outings. But my main focus is on helping the team win.

“Every time Tito gives me the ball, I do feel a little more confident.”

-SEAN McADAM