All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' win over the A's, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Red Sox rolling: The wins continue to add up for the Red Sox. Their convincing 10-1 over the A's Wednesday was their third win in a row and 11th win in their last 13 games and 20th win in their last 27 games. (That 20-7 run since May 18 represents the best record in the American League over that stretch). It also moved the Sox to 5-0 against the A's this season, with a final meeting set for Thursday. To date, the Red Sox have outscored the A's 36-6. It also represented another series win for the Sox, who are 8-1-2 in their last 11 series after starting the season 1-7-1 in their first nine. The Sox have been out-muscling opponents of late, with homers in five straight games, totaling 10 in that span.
Devers leading the way: For the fourth straight game, Rafael Devers homered, giving him 16 for the season. He has nine RBI over his last four games. After drawing a walk and scoring the game's first run in the first, Devers homered to right with Jackie Bradley Jr. aboard in the second innings. "He's swinging at the right pitches, making adjustments throughout, not giving at-bats away,'' said Alex Cora. "He's hitting everything hard. He's looking for pitches in certain areas and not missing them....He's dominating the game. He's one of the best hitters in the big leagues.'' Cora said he could tell in spring training that Devers was poised for a super season, noticing Devers' maturity and growing confidence. It's coming true.
Verdugo ends drought: Last week, it was J.D. Martinez's turn to end a long homerless streak. He then proceeded to hit three in the span of four games. Now, it may be Alex Verdugo's turn. Before Wednesday night, Verdugo hadn't homered since April 16, but after contributing singles in the third and fourth innings, Verdugo came to the plate and hammered a pitch into the Red Sox bullpen with a runner aboard. He had gone 48 games without one. "Certain days, it was weighing heavy,'' said Verdugo. "For me, I've been seeing a lot of (our) guys hitting homers, and I'm like, 'When am I going to get a card ride, dude?' '' The answer came in the sixth inning, as part of a four-RBI night for the outfielder.
TURNING POINT
Not that the Red Sox' lead was in jeopardy, ahead 6-0 by this point, but the A's started to make a little noise in the top of the fifth when they pieced together back-to-back singles. It represented the first inning in which they managed to have more than one baserunner against Josh Winckowski. But before the A's could get anything going, WInckowski got Ramon Laureano to ground out to first, stranding two. Not only did it shut off any suggestion of a rally by Oakland, but it also allowed Winckowski to end his outing on a positive note.
TWO UP
Josh Winckowski: Given a second chance after losing his debut, Winckowski was much more effective, allowing just one walk over five shutout innings to earn his first major league win.
Xander Bogaerts: The shortstop had a three-hit night, the 10th time he's had at least three in a game this season, also added a sacrifice fly in a two-RBI night.
TWO DOWN
Kevin Plawecki: A year ago, Plawecki could be counted on to supply some offense when he got into games. Not this year. Plawecki was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and his batting average dipped to .141.
Jake Diekman: The lefty reliever, who allowed a solo homer for the only A's run, has allowed 33 baserunners (16 hits, 17 walks) in his last 20 innings of work.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"I kinda forgot how it felt. I felt good. I knew it'd been a while since I put one over the fence. To come up, get some insurance and see one leave the yard was a big relief, kind of like a monkey off my back.'' - Alex Verdugo, who hit his first homer in almost three months.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* Alex Verdugo established a career-high with four RBI in one game.
* Trevor Story has the team lead in RBI (42) and walks (25).
* Xander Bogaerts had his third multiple-hit game in the last four games.
* Rafael Devers hit career homer No. 128, lifting him into third place in team history for most homers at age 25 or younger. Tony Conigliaro is first at 160 and Jim Rice next at 133.
UP NEXT: The teams conclude their series -- and their season series -- Thursday at 1:35 p.m. The Sox will start LHP Rich Hill (2-3, 4..38) vs. RHP Paul Blackburn (5-2, 2.31)