Red Sox complete sweep of A’s behind Cordero, Hill

Jun 5, 2022, 4:24 AM | Updated: Jun 6, 2022, 9:16 am

Boston Red Sox's Franchy Cordero, right is greeted by teammates Xander Bogaerts (2) and Rafael Deve...

Boston Red Sox's Franchy Cordero, right is greeted by teammates Xander Bogaerts (2) and Rafael Devers after hitting a three-run home run off Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Frankie Montas during the inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)

(AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)


              Boston Red Sox right fielder Franchy Cordero (16) leaves his feet to make the catch of a line drive by Oakland Athletics' Ramon Laureano during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
            
              Oakland Athletics catcher Christian Bethancourt reacts after striking out against the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
            
              Oakland Athletics pitcher A.J. Puk (33) delivers against the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
            
              Boston Red Sox's Rafael Devers, right, gets a congratulatory handshake from third base coach Carlos Febles (53) after hitting a home run off Oakland Athletics pitcher A.J. Puk during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
            
              Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rich Hill delivers against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
            
              Boston Red Sox designated hitter Jarren Duran, left, slides safely home ahead of the relay to Oakland Athletics catcher Christian Bethancourt, right, on a single by Rafael Devers during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
            
              Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Frankie Montas (47) waits while Boston Red Sox's Franchy Cordero runs out his three-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
            
              Oakland Athletics center fielder Cristian Pache (20) and right fielder Ramon Laureano (22) narrowly avoid a collision while fielding a fly ball by Boston Red Sox's Enrique Hernández during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
            
              Boston Red Sox's Franchy Cordero, right is greeted by teammates Xander Bogaerts (2) and Rafael Devers after hitting a three-run home run off Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Frankie Montas during the inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Franchy Cordero hit a three-run homer off Frankie Montas in the sixth inning and the Boston Red Sox completed a three-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics with a 5-2 victory Sunday.

Rich Hill pitched three-hit ball over six innings and had five strikeouts. Rafael Devers homered and drove in two runs as the Red Sox extended their winning streak to four and got back to .500 (27-27) for the first time since April 22.

“We’ve been playing good baseball the last three weeks, just grinding and using everybody,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “We’ve still got holes, but on a daily basis we feel very good about ourselves”

The A’s lost their seventh straight and fell to 7-23 at home — the worst record in the majors and the second-worst in franchise history through 30 games. The 1920 Philadelphia A’s started 6-23-1 at home.

Montas (2-6) retired 14 of 15 following a rocky first inning before a throwing error by third baseman Kevin Smith in the sixth helped set up Boston’s big inning.

After Devers walked and Xander Bogaerts reached on the error, Alex Verdugo flew out and Trevor Story popped out. A’s manager Mark Kotsay made a mound visit, then Cordero hit the next pitch – an 85 mph splitter up in the zone – into the left field stands.

“He got me out the first two at-bats with that splitter, so it was obvious that he was going to try to throw that pitch at some point in that at-bat,” Cordero said through an interpreter. “I was ready for it.”

In his first at-bat, Cordero lined out to first baseman Seth Brown on a ball that had an exit velocity of 100 mph. His home run left at 107 mph.

“That ball was demolished,” Cora said. “There’s a reason he’s getting at-bats, because he’s contributing on a daily basis. It seems like every time he hits the ball it’s hard.”

Hill (2-3) bounced back from his worst start of the season to beat the A’s for the second time in nine career appearances. The 42-year-old lefty didn’t walk a batter and set down 16 straight after Ramón Laureano’s RBI double in the first before leaving following Jed Lowrie’s leadoff single in the seventh.

“Throwing a lot of cutters today, which was good,” Hill said. “It opens up the outside part of the plate, leaves more room for swings and misses with the curveball. It wasn’t like trying to find the strike zone like last game.”

Devers hit an RBI single in the first and homered leading off the eighth.

Montas had seven strikeouts in six innings, but lost his fifth straight. Winless since April 18, he allowed six hits and four runs (one earned).

SHORT HOPS

Six of Devers’ 12 home runs have been solo shots. … The A’s have been shut out three times and held to one run three times over Montas’ last nine starts. … The Red Sox have won eight of their last 11 on the road. … The 1-9 homestand is the second worst in Oakland history. The A’s went 0-6 at the Coliseum from April 29-May 4 earlier this year. … Laureano has a 10-game hitting streak.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Red Sox: LHP Chris Sale will throw another bullpen Tuesday, then face hitters Friday. … RHP Hansel Robles (back spasms) will pitch an inning for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday and could rejoin the big league club Thursday. … LHP James Paxton (elbow surgery) is throwing up to 120 feet and has been pushing management to allow him back on the mound soon. … J.D. Martinez was given the day off as part of Cora’s plan to rest his veteran players over the next week.

Athletics: OF Stephen Piscotty (calf strain) has progressed to hitting in the cage, but will remain in Oakland to continue his rehab during the team’s road trip.

UP NEXT

Red Sox: RHP Michael Wacha (3-1, 2.43 ERA) faces the Angels in Anaheim on Monday. Wacha has allowed two earned runs or fewer and four hits or less in seven of his eight starts.

Athletics: After an off day, LHP Cole Irvin (2-2, 2.96) pitches against the Braves in Atlanta on Tuesday. Irvin has allowed one home run over his previous six starts.

__

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

Associated Press

Ex-Packer Guion gets 1 year for domestic violence assault

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading no contest in a domestic violence assault at his home last fall. Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh also ordered Guion on Tuesday to serve three years’ probation and complete a domestic […]

3 months ago

Joe Jarzynka...

Associated Press

Durant eager for Suns debut vs. Hornets after knee injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kevin Durant has been through quite a bit during his 15-year NBA career — but joining a new team midway through the season is a new one for the 13-time All-Star. The 34-year-old Durant doesn’t seem all that worried. Durant makes his highly anticipated Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday night against […]

3 months ago

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores stands on the sideline during the second half of an N...

Associated Press

Judge: NFL coach can press discrimination claims in court

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Coach Brian Flores can pursue some of his discrimination claims against the league and its teams in court rather than through arbitration, a judge ruled Wednesday. The written decision by Judge Valerie Caproni in Manhattan was issued months after lawyers for the league tried to get the lawsuit moved to […]

3 months ago

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stalock cools off in the first period during an NHL hockey game ...

Associated Press

Kane trade reinforces hard reality of Blackhawks rebuild

CHICAGO (AP) — After days of speculation, the harsh reality of the Chicago Blackhawks’ situation was reinforced by one move in a flurry of transactions ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Showtime is over, at least in Chicago, and a seemingly bright future is, well, way off in the distance. The reverberations of Chicago’s decision […]

3 months ago

FILE -  Yves Jean-Bart, president of the Haitian Football Federation, wearing a protective face mas...

Associated Press

Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces he’s back

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s former soccer federation president whose lifetime ban from sport over sexual abuse allegations was overturned last month announced Wednesday that he is reclaiming his position. Yves Jean-Bart’s defiant announcement could lead to a standoff with FIFA, which already has appointed an emergency management committee to lead the Haitian Football Association […]

3 months ago

FILE - Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after an NFL football game against the ...

Associated Press

Rodgers says decision on future will come ‘soon enough’

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers says he will make a decision on his future “soon enough” as the four-time MVP quarterback ponders whether to play next season and if his future remains with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers, 39, discussed his future while speaking on an episode of the “Aubrey Marcus Podcast” that […]

3 months ago

Red Sox complete sweep of A’s behind Cordero, Hill