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Red Sox Draft Teel, Zanetello

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – The Boston Red Sox selected catcher Kyle Teel out of the University of Virginia with their first-round pick (14th overall) in the 2023 MLB First-Year Player Draft. The club also selected shortstop Nazzan Zanetello out of Christian Brothers College High School (MO) in the second round (50th overall). Red Sox Director of Amateur Scouting Devin Pearson made the announcement.

Teel, 21, was ranked among the top 10 prospects available in this year’s draft by MLB.com (No. 7) and Baseball America (No. 10). Named the 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year and a consensus First Team All-American, the left-handed hitter batted .407 (105-for-258) with a 1.130 OPS, 25 doubles, 13 home runs, and 69 RBI while starting as the catcher in all 65 of the Cavaliers’ games as a junior this season. He threw out 15 of 24 runners attempting to steal while managing Virginia’s pitching staff to the fourth-lowest ERA in Division 1 (3.81), earning honors as the Buster Posey Collegiate Catcher of the Year and Top NCAA Male Baseball Catcher as part of the Johnny Bench Awards.

The New Jersey native is a graduate of Mahwah High School (NJ), where he was named the 2020 New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year and the No. 1 overall player in the state according to Perfect Game. He played eight games for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2022 and was selected to play on the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team in both 2021 and 2022. His brother, Aidan, played alongside him on the University of Virginia baseball team. Their father, Garett, was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 12thround of the 1989 MLB Draft (316th overall) and spent five years with the organization as a player and catching coach.

Zanetello, 18, was a 2023 First Team All-State selection in Missouri, batting .421 (45-for-107) with nine doubles, three triples, nine home runs, 33 RBI, and 21 stolen bases in 38 games during his senior season. In 2022, the right-handed hitter was a Perfect Game All-American and participated in their National Showcase, while also being named MVP of the Breakthrough Series and playing for Team USA in an 18-and-under World Cup qualifying tournament, during which he led the team in hitting (.429). The Missouri native had committed to play for the University of Arkansas.

Less than two weeks after helping LSU win the College World Series, right-hander Paul Skenes and outfielder Dylan Crews were not done making history. Skenes was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the No. 1 overall pick and the Washington Nationals followed by taking Crews at No. 2 at the 2023 MLB Draft in Seattle on Sunday night. It marked the first time in MLB draft history that a pair of teammates were taken with the top two picks.

Skenes is the sixth No. 1 draft selection in Pirates franchise history, joining third baseman Jeff King (1986), catcher Henry Davis (2021) and right-handers Kris Benson (1996), Bryan Bullington (2002) and Gerrit Cole (2011).

“It’s cool,” Skenes told ESPN, referring to his feelings about being the top pick. “But I think the biggest part is that my college career is over now (and) I get to keep playing baseball and hopefully do it for a long time.

“So I’m just super grateful for that.”

After spending the first two seasons of his collegiate career at Air Force, Skenes shined during his time with the Tigers, going 12-2 with a 1.69 ERA in 19 starts in 2023. He was named National Player of the Year and National Pitcher of the Year before helping LSU prevail at the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., where he earned CWS Most Outstanding Player honors.

In addition to his time with the Tigers and Falcons, Skenes also played for the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League in the summer of 2021.

Crews hit .380 with 58 homers and 184 RBIs across three seasons with the Tigers. He put up video-game numbers in 2023, recording the third-best batting average in the nation (.426) while ripping 18 home runs and racking up 70 RBIs.

In addition to being named Southeastern Conference Player of the Year this past season, Crews won the Golden Spikes Award as the top amateur baseball player in the country.

Straka Enjoys a Deere Run Win

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SILVIS – Despite sitting T-133 after an opening-round (73), Sepp Straka won his second PGA Tour title with final-round (62). Straka became the first player since 1992 to win John Deere Classic with an over-par round during the week.

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Three-time TOUR winner Brendon Todd finished T2 for the second time this season (AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am).

Ludvig Aberg (T-4) recorded his best finish in ninth start on Tour.

Adam Schenk posted his third Top-10 in five starts at John Deere Classic (T6/2019, T4/2021, T4/2023).

J.T. Poston finished T6 in a bid to become the fourth player to successfully defend a John Deere Classic title.

Peter Kuest (T-17) became eligible for PGA Tour Special Temporary Membership.

John Deere Classic | Final Leaderboard

Sepp Straka 73-63-65-62—263 (-21)

Brendon Todd 66-65-66-68—265 (-19)

Alex Smalley 66-70-62-67—265 (-19)

Ludvig Aberg 68-64-71-63—266 (-18)

Adam Schenk 65-66-67-68—266 (-18)

Full Leaderboard: (link)

Red Sox Streak Into MLB Break

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BOSTON –  (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Masataka Yoshida went 2-for-4 with a go-ahead home run in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Boston Red Sox rallied to sweep the visiting Oakland Athletics with a 4-3 win on Sunday afternoon.

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After dropping the first two games of the series, Oakland scored first and held a 3-1 lead through six innings.

Boston tied the game on Adam Duvall‘s solo homer and Christian Arroyo’s RBI double in the sixth inning before Yoshida’s solo shot into the Green Monster seats two innings later, extending its winning streak to five games entering the All-Star break.

Duvall finished with a pair of RBIs, while Yoshida also scored two runs.

Chris Martin (3-1) earned the win.

Brent Rooker went 3-for-3 with a solo homer for Oakland, which held an 11-6 advantage in the hit column but committed three errors in the field. Jace Peterson and Manny Pina both had two hits.

Ken Waldichuk (2-6) allowed the winning run over 1 1/3 innings after Paul Blackburn, who had been scheduled to start Saturday before an illness scratch, pitched in relief of starter JP Sears.

The A’s got out to a first-inning lead as Ryan Noda hit a one-out double before advancing on a wild pitch and scoring on Red Sox catcher Jorge Alfaro’s subsequent throwing error.

Red Sox opener Tayler Scott got out of the first inning, allowing just the one unearned run.

Rob Refsnyder drew a leadoff walk and scored a tying run on Duvall’s sacrifice fly in the Boston half of the opening frame.

Oakland took the lead when Noda drew a bases-loaded, two-out walk against Boston reliever Chris Murphy in the second. Murphy worked three innings in relief of Scott, striking out four, walking four and yielding two hits.

Rooker added to the A’s lead with a one-out solo shot to left in the fifth.

–Field Level Media

As MLB Breaks, It’s All Hot-Sox

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) –  The Boston Red Sox have clicked on all cylinders over their first two games against the Oakland Athletics this weekend. Entering today’s series and unofficial first-half finale, Boston has won four straight games and seven out of eight, while scoring 27 runs in just the last three games.

The Red Sox have put together seven consecutive games with at least 10 hits after pounding out 15 in Saturday’s 10-3 triumph.

Jarren Duran went 3-for-5 with a double, home run, three RBIs and three runs to lead the way. It was his sixth three-hit game of the season and extended his hitting streak to five games.

“Man, he’s on fire,” James Paxton, Saturday’s starting pitcher for the Red Sox, said of Duran. “It’s fun to watch. You know, he’s such an athletic guy, and so many tools on the field. He’s an exciting player, and I’m glad he’s on our team.”

Boston’s recent success has hardly been a one-man effort. Justin Turner has also been on a hot streak with at least one RBI in eight straight games.

Nonetheless, Red Sox manager Alex Cora knows how crucial Duran’s surge has been.

“We know about Alex (Verdugo). We know about (Masataka) Yoshida. We know about the power of (Adam) Duvall,” Cora said. “But when we talk about Jarren, give credit to the front office. They stuck with the kid, and we have found ways to play him. He’s been very dynamic.”

Cora is expected to use Tayler Scott (0-0, 7.71 ERA) as an opener less than a week after his Red Sox debut. He was acquired from the Dodgers in a trade late last month. While with the Seattle Mariners in 2019, Scott made one relief appearance against the Athletics, surrendering two unearned runs over two innings.

Left-hander JP Sears (1-6, 4.09) is scheduled to make his team-leading 18th start for the Athletics, making him their only pitcher to remain in the rotation all season.

“One of the goals was just to be available every fifth day — give my team 30 starts by the end of the year,” Sears said. “Hopefully, I can just keep it up. Stay on top of my routine and stay healthy so we can be there by the end of the year.”

Sears has allowed two or fewer runs in six of his last eight starts, including Tuesday in Detroit. He worked 7 1/3 shutout innings and allowed just five hits while striking out four in Oakland’s 1-0 win. It was the longest start of his career in the majors.

“Probably the best start of the year for us by a starter,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said, calling that outing “the definition of how to pitch. He used his weapons. Kept the ball out of the middle of the plate.”

In his first career start against Boston, Sears will look to break the A’s out of a 6-16 drought. They allowed nine extra-base hits Saturday and have won just four road series all season.

Brent Rooker and Manny Pina homered Saturday against Paxton.

–Field Level Media

Todd Leads John Deere Classic

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SILVIS – Three-time Tour winner Brendon Todd is the only PGA Tour winner among the top five on the current John Deere leaderboard as Eight of the 13 players within three strokes of the lead are seeking their first Tour victory.

The John Deere Classic has produced 23 first-time Tour winners, the most of any event since 1970.

John Deere Classic

Alex Smalley matched his low round of career on TOUR (62).

Peter Kuest will become eligible for PGA TOUR Special Temporary Membership by completing the tournament.

Jonas Blixt can become the first since 1992 to win this event with an over-par round during the week.

Second-round leader Cameron Young carded a double bogey on final hole and sits three back on the crowded leaderboard. Twelve players are within three strokes of the leader.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | July 9

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While We’re Young (Ideas) Covers the Notes

By TERRY LYONS

BOSTON – In recent weeks, the readers have been the recipients of some breaking sports news (SlamBall!) and some motion picture musings (Indiana Jones and Harrison Ford). WWYI ran some music insights, from Billy Joel to The Beatles and Stones to Bruce Springsteen and his introspective thoughts through the “Last Man Standing.” The Notes always finish with a closing musical memory in the popular section tagged, “Parting Words & Music.”

Throughout, reader and writer have shared laughs and tears (for fears), talked sports, chatted-up trends in society while trying very hard to avoid politics and the terrible news of the day/week/month.

Today?

We have Notes. Just Notes.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: Did you catch this news item? Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady lost millions in the collapse of cryptocurrency company FTX, for which he served as an ambassador, The New York Times reported Friday. Under an agreement the retired NFL quarterback made with FTX in 2021, he received $30 million in now-worthless stock for his work pitching the company in television ads and at its conference. In step with him at the time was his then-wife, Gisele Bundchen, who received $18 million in stock, per the report.

DRIBBLED IT OUT: USA Basketball tried to slip one by us on Thursday at 5pm (ET). New USA head-honcho Grant Hill named the players on the 2023 USA World Cup senior national team scheduled to compete in the 2023 FIBA World Cup tournament August 25-September 10, (a.k.a) The Thriller in Manila.

The 2023 USA Men’s National Team will include Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic), Mikal Bridges (Brooklyn Nets), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), Josh Hart (Knicks), Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans),Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies), Cam Johnson (Brooklyn Nets), Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz), Bobby Portis (Milwaukee Bucks) and Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers).

In past years, Nike has spent beaucoup de bucks on glitzy announcements with day-long twitter feeds, NYC/Statue of Liberty photo shoots, team clinics for kids and global media days. This year, it was a simple news release (5pm ET) on Thursday with a follow-up with new USA national team managing director Grant Hill.

PERTH: The NBA G League Ignite will once again host a premiere international program for a pair of preseason games with the inaugural NBA G League Fall Invitational featuring the Perth Wildcats of Australia. The Ignite will welcomes the Wildcats to the Dollar Loan Center on Wednesday, Sept. 6 and Friday, Sept. 8 when the matchup spotlights top 2024+ NBA Draft prospects among both teams. McDonald’s All-Americans Matas Buzelis andRon Holland, who are projected as Top 10 picks in the 2024 NBA Draft highlight Ignite’s 2023-24 roster, while the Wildcats feature top international talent including National Basketball League (NBL) Next Stars participant Alexandre Sarr, a projected Top 20 selection in next year’s NBA Draft. … Remember! If there’s a logo, it must be important.

NIKKI – RIP: Amongst the saddest news item to report, former USA Basketball women’s team gold medalist and proud Olympian Nikki McCray-Penson, also a former WNBA star and immortal member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, died at the age of 51.

McCray-Penson, who spent nine years in the WNBA and led the U.S. Olympic Team to a gold medal in 1996, spent this past basketball season as an assistant coach at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Rutgers confirmed the report of Ms. McCray’s passing on Friday.

“Today is deeply sad and emotional day for everyone who knew and loved Nikki,” Rutgets head coach of the women’s team Coquese Washington said in a prepared statement. “Nikki had a big smile and an even bigger heart. She was full of life, energy, and was so much fun to be around. Nikki touched the lives of many because she made it her mission to uplift others and help them achieve whatever dreams and goals they expressed.”

McCray-Penson had been diagnosed with breast cancer years ago (2013), but the initial reports of her passing did not state a cause of death, but Nikki’s friend, South Carolina head coach and former USAB Olympic Games teammate Dawn Staley did.

$AUDI MONEY: Mucho controversy was made of the Private Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia paying the freight for LIV Golf in the summers of 2022 and 2023. The Saudi fund -valued at $650 billion – will branch-out with new fund-holders to arrange a new, multibillion-dollar entity, dedicated solely to sports, according to the Financial Times.

Accused by many – especially the families of 9/11 United – as using the funds to “Sportswash” in an attempt to cover-up human rights violations and murder committed by Saudi nationals. As time passes, the concept now calls for mainstream investments into leagues, teams, new franchises, start-ups in addition to LIV Golf. … Meanwhile, the rival to the PGA Tour, makes its way through St. Albans, England and London LIV where the LIV players will soon meet-up with their PGA Tour brethren to participate in The Open.

Current Saudi sports investments include:

  • At least $2 billion of funding to back LIV Golf
  • Purchased majority ownership of Newcastle United ($409 million purchase)
  • Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix
  • Purchased 16.7% stake in Aston Martin F1 team
  • Saudi Pro League (Soccer) ($75 million annual contract for Cristiano Ronaldo)
  • The PIF made news in sports all year, most notably the massive but cryptic announcment with the PGA Tour to stake a place in men’s professional golf.
  • Tennis was also a target for the PIF, which has reportedly had talks with the ATP Tour and WTA Tour.
  • It’s been previously reported, the PIF and other Middle East minority investments are being made in USA/North American-based professional teams. That’s clearly a part of the strategy for the new Saudi sports company.
  • The Qatar Investment Authority purchased a roughly 5% stake in Monumental Sports & Entertainment (Wash DC) and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver publicly stated the league has not ruled out accepting investments from the PIF and other entities.
  • The NBA will be playing preseason games in UAE this fall and USA Basketball (repped by the NBA) will play exhibition games in Abu Dhabi on August 18-20.

IT’S OFFICIAL: Although there were plenty of leaks a week or two ago, the NBA formally announced the addition of the long-awaited “In-Season Tournament.” The NBA In-Season Tournament, a new annual competition for all 30 teams that will debut in the 2023-24 regular season, will tip off on Friday, Nov. 3 in NBA team markets and culminate with the playing of the Semifinals (Thursday, Dec. 7) and Championship (Saturday, Dec. 9) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

“The NBA In-Season Tournament is an opportunity to further enhance and innovate around our season structure,” said Joe Dumars, NBA Executive Vice President, and the Head of Basketball Operations. “With the addition of this new marquee event on the NBA calendar, we are focused on providing players and teams with another competition to win, engaging fans in a different way and driving further interest in the early portion of the regular-season schedule,” added Dumars.

The In-Season Tournament will consist of two stages: Group Play and the Knockout Rounds.

  • Group Play:  All 30 teams have been randomly drawn into groups of five within their conference based on win-loss records from the 2022-23 regular season.  Each team will play four designated Group Play games – one game against each opponent in its group, with two games at home and two on the road – on “Tournament Nights,” which will take place every Tuesday and Friday from Nov. 3-28 (with the exception of Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 7, when no games will be played).  The only NBA games played on Tournament Nights will be Group Play games.
  • Knockout Rounds:  Eight teams will advance to the Knockout Rounds:  The team with the best standing in Group Play games in each of the six groups and two “wild cards” (the team from each conference with the best record in Group Play games that finished second in its group).  The Knockout Rounds will consist of single-elimination games in the Quarterfinals (played in NBA team markets on Monday, Dec. 4 and Tuesday, Dec. 5) and Semifinals and Championship (played in Las Vegas on Dec. 7 and Dec. 9, respectively).  The Knockout teams will compete for a prize pool and the new In-Season Tournament trophy, the NBA Cup.

The 67 games played in both stages of the In-Season Tournament will count toward the regular-season standings except the Championship.  Each team will continue to play 82 regular-season games in the 2023-24 season, including those games that are part of Group Play and the Knockout Rounds.

TOURNAMENT GROUPS:

West Group A

Memphis Phoenix L.A. Lakers Utah Portland

West Group B

Denver LA Clippers New Orleans Dallas Houston

West Group C

Sacramento Golden State Minnesota Oklahoma City San Antonio

East Group A

Philadelphia Cleveland Atlanta Indiana Detroit

Eastern Conference

East Group B

Milwaukee New York Miami Washington Charlotte

East Group C

Boston Brooklyn Toronto Chicago Orlando

Brady Lost $30 Million in FTX Collapse

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NEW YORK – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady lost millions in the collapse of cryptocurrency company FTX, for which he served as an ambassador, The New York Times reported Friday. Under an agreement the retired NFL quarterback made with FTX in 2021, he received $30 million in now-worthless stock for his work pitching the company in television ads and at its conference. In step with him at the time was his then-wife, Gisele Bundchen, who received $18 million in stock, per the report.

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FTX filed for bankruptcy last November. Its former CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, is facing federal fraud-related charges.

And Brady, who won seven Super Bowl titles in his career, also faces legal peril on top of the financial losses. Both Brady and Bundchen, who officially divorced last October, are being sued by FTX investors who want repayment from celebrity endorsers. Basketball Hall of Fame member Shaquille O’Neal also has been sued in the FTX case, as have Larry David of “Seinfeld” fame, tennis player Naomi Osaka and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.

“None of these defendants performed any due diligence prior to marketing these FTX products to the public,” according to the lawsuit, obtained by the Times. It was filed in federal court in Florida.

Before the collapse of FTX, it was valued at $32 billion, including $48 million in shares held by Brady and Bundchen, per the Times. Now, it has no value.

Brady, 45, ranked No. 50 on Forbes’ 2023 list of the World’s Highest-Paid Athletes with earnings of $45.2 million in football salary and endorsements.

Sox Reinstate Rodriguez, Drop Garza

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BOSTON – Before Saturday’s game, the Red Sox reinstated left-handed pitcher Joely Rodriguez from the 15-Day Injured List. To make room for Rodriguez on the active Major League roster, the club optioned right-handed pitcher Justin Garza to Triple-A Worcester following Friday night’s game against the Oakland Athletics. Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Rodriguez, 31, was placed on the Injured List on June 4 due to left shoulder inflammation. The left-handed made five rehab appearances with Worcester (three games) and Double-A Portland (two), posting a 4.15 ERA (2 ER/4.1 IP) with six strikeouts. Signed by Boston as a free agent on November 23, 2022, Rodriguez has allowed eight runs in 4.0 innings pitched over five outings with the Red Sox this season, and owns a 4.92 ERA (82 ER/150.0 IP) in 162 career games with the Philadelphia Phillies (2016-17), Texas Rangers (2020-21), New York Yankees (2021), New York Mets (2022), and Red Sox (2023).

Garza, 29, has pitched in 16 games (one start) for the Red Sox this season, posting a 6.11 ERA (12 ER/17.2 IP). The right-hander also owns a 3.38 ERA (2 ER/5.1 IP) in four appearances for Worcester. Claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels on April 28, Garza has pitched to a 5.24 ERA (27 ER/46.1 IP) in 37 career Major League games (one start) with the Cleveland Guardians (2021) and Red Sox (2023).

Cam Young in a Great Place

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NOTE: Due to anticipated Saturday morning thunderstorms, third-round tee times will be approximately 9:55/10:55am (CT/ET) to 11:55am/12:55pm (CT/ET) in groups of three off tees Nos. 1 and 10.

SILVIS – Seeking his first title on the Tour, Cameron Young holds the 36-hole lead/co-lead for the first time during his PGA Tour career.

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Adam Schenk and William Mouw are the only players bogey-free through 36 holes.

With a win, Garrick Higgo could join Brian Harman as the only left-handers to win at TPC Deere Run.

Three-time winner Brendon Todd is the only multiple PGA Tour winner at 9-under or better while Tour rookie Ludvig Aberg carded his low round on Tour (64) thus far.

J.T. Poston sits T-18 at 7-under in a bid to become the fourth player to successfully defend a John Deere Classic title.

Starting on the back nine, first-round leader Jonas Blixt (T-18/-7) posted nine straight pars on the same nine holes he carded the first sub-30 nine-hole score of his PGA Tour career on Thursday (29). Of the players who made the cut, Blixt is the only player to shoot an over-par score (73) in the second round.

There’s some youth in the air at Deere Run. Ages of the leaders:

Young (26), Schenk (31), Higgo (24), Todd (37), Aberg (23), Mouw (22), McCarthy (30), Roy (33).

John Deere Classic Leaderboard | After 36 Holes

Cameron Young 65-64—129 (-13)

Adam Schenk 65-66—131 (-11)

Garrick Higgo 65-66—131 (-11)

Brendon Todd 66-65—131 (-11)

Ludvig Aberg 68-64—132 (-10)

William Mouw 66-66—132 (-10)

Denny McCarthy 68-64—132 (-10)

Kevin Roy 69-63—132 (-10)

Full Leaderboard: (link)

Red Sox Defeat Lowly A’s

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BOSTON – A five-run second inning gave the surging Red Sox all the offense they needed en route to a 7-3 win over the visiting Oakland Athletics on Friday night.

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Jarren Duran, Justin Turner and Alex Verdugo all went 2-for-4 with an RBI to lead Boston, while recently activated SS Yu Chang drove in two runs.

Boston’s Nick Pivetta (5-5) allowed two earned runs in five innings to earn the win following a strong starting effort of opener Brennan Bernardino.

Seth Brown homered and scored twice for Oakland in the losing effort.

The Red Sox offense rallied for its second big inning in as many nights, scoring five runs while batting around in the bottom of the second.

After Verdugo and Enrique Hernandez singled and Triston Casas walked to load the bases, A’s opener Sam Long (0-1) was pulled in favor of Luis Medina, who allowed three straight one-out singles that produced the opening runs.

Chang hit a ground ball single into center field to bring in the first two runs. After Medina uncorked a wild pitch, Duran and Turner laced back-to-back base hits to increase the Boston lead to 4-0. Rafael Devers finished the scoring in the inning with an RBI fielder’s choice.

Oakland got on the board with Tony Kemp’s two-out single in the fifth. Kemp was able to advance on a subsequent throwing error by Devers, but Pivetta got out of the jam with a popup.

Brown added to the Oakland offense with a one-out homer to right-center following Shea Langeliers’ double in the seventh