J.J. Bleday, Cody Thomas and Jace Peterson on Wednesday each hit two-run home runs as the Oakland Athletics won their second straight following an eight-game skid, beating the Red Sox 6-5 in a game in which Boston shortstop Yu Chang played in his 221st career game, the most in majors history by a player born in Taiwan.
Bleday’s homer was his second in as many days, while Thomas’ deep drive was the first of his career. Peterson, who also walked and scored on Thomas’ home run, connected for his sixth in the fourth inning.
It was the 11th time this season that the A’s — last in the majors in team batting average and runs scored — hit three or more home runs in one game.
Photo: Kelley L. Cox-USA Today
“It’s a great series win,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “We got beat up pretty good the first night against them, and in Boston. We had four errors, but we kept grinding. That’s the mentality, that’s the identity that this club wants to have.”
Justin Turner hit his 15th home run for the Red Sox.
Boston, winners of eight of their previous 10, lost consecutive games for the first time since June 28 and June 29 against Miami.
The game drew a crowd of 15,023, the largest at the Coliseum since June 18, when 24,326 people watched the A’s lose to Philadelphia.
Angel Felipe (1-0) retired four batters for his first career victory. Trevor May worked the ninth and got Rob Refsnyder to fly out with the tying run on second base for his eighth save.
“The biggest thing is I helped the team win the ballgame,” Felipe said via a translator. “That was my biggest concern.”
The Red Sox got to A’s starter Ken Waldichuk for a pair of runs in the first inning on Turner’s home run that extended his hitting streak to 15 games, the longest active streak in the majors. It is also the second-longest streak by a Boston player 38 years or older. Hall of Famer Ted Williams had a 17-game streak in 1957.
Oakland responded quickly in the bottom of the inning. Tony Kemp drew a leadoff walk and scored on Bleday’s blast off Brayan Bello.
Thomas’ milestone home run, which snapped an none-for-seven drought at the plate for the rookie, also came off Bello before Peterson’s drive, his first off a left-hander this season, made it 6-2.
“I feel like it happened so quick, but as soon as I got barrel on it and it went up in the air I thought I had a chance,” Thomas said. “I saw it leave the yard, it was pretty exciting stuff. I was just trying to put something in play. I don’t think I’ve ever hit a home run on purpose.”
Bello (7-6) allowed five hits and six runs in four innings.
The Red Sox cut the gap to 6-4 in the fifth inning, then tacked on an unearned run in the sixth to keep it close.
Waldichuk allowed four runs and five hits in 4-1/3 innings.
Elsewhere, the Angels 7 defeated the Yankees 7-3, the Cardinals sank the Marlins 6-4, the Padres blanked the Blue Jays 2-0, the Mets mastered the White Sox 5-1, the Diamondbacks beat the Braves 5-3, the Rangers routed the Rays 5-1 and the Pirates pipped the Guardians 7-5.
The Orioles downed the Dodgers 8-5, the Astros defeated the Rockies 4-1, the Brewers beat the Phillies 5-3, the Reds downed the Giants 3-2, the Tigers tamed the Royals 3-2, the Cubs crushed the Nationals 8-3 and the Twins mastered the Mariners 6-3.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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