Athletics 7, Red Sox 1
OAKLAND, Calif. -- It doesn't matter who the opponent is. The Oakland Athletics are rolling like a runaway freight train and the win streak continues.
The A's scored four runs in the third inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Brandon Inge, as Oakland recorded its eighth straight win by beating the Boston Red Sox 7-1 on Saturday night. Coco Crisp was a triple shy of the cycle.
Rookie A.J. Griffin has pitched like a grizzled veteran. Making his ninth career start, Griffin retired the first 14 batters and ended up giving up three hits and a run in seven innings, with five strikeouts.
It has been a disastrous season for the Red Sox, who have lost their last six road games to fall 10 games below .500. Felix Doubront lasted only three innings, giving up six hits and five runs. Doubrant (10-7) lost his third straight decision and has 11 quality starts in 24 outings.
Boston's first hit was a controversial one. With Griffin pitching a perfect game into the fifth inning, Jarrod Saltalamacchia laid a bunt down the third-base line and easily made it to first base because no one was defending the foul line. Ryan Lavarnway ended any suspicions of what might have been a date with destiny when he hit a clean single to right field to lead off the sixth inning.
Dustin Pedroia singled to left, scoring Pedro Ciriaco, who had reached on a fielder's choice. Pedroia moved to within four hits of 1,000 for his career.
NOTES: The A's got their 75th win, exceeding their win total of 74 from 2011. ... Oakland improved to a season-best 18 games over .500 for the first time since 2006. ... The A's also hit two more home runs and have 153 -- the most since clubbing 171 in 2007. ... Inge left the game in the bottom of the fifth after he aggravated his right shoulder. ... On this date in 2002, Miguel Tejada hit a walk-off home run against Twins reliever Eddie Guardado to secure the A's 18th consecutive win. The 2002 squad recorded an American League-record 20 straight victories.
