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

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.

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

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.

'œHe 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,'ť Cordero said through an interpreter. 'œI was ready for it.'ť

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.

'œThat ball was demolished,'ť Cora said. 'œThere'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.'ť

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.

'œThrowing a lot of cutters today, which was good,'ť Hill said. 'œIt 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.'ť

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.

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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) The Associated Press
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) The Associated Press
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) The Associated Press
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) The Associated Press
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) The Associated Press
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) The Associated Press
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) The Associated Press
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) The Associated Press
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