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Blanton, Athletics complete sweep of Red Sox

May 26, 2008 - 12:09 AM By Al Barba PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) - Jack Hannahan had a two-run single and Joe Blanton recorded his first victory in nearly a month as the Oakland Athletics defeated the Boston Red Sox, 6-3, on Sunday afternoon to complete a three-game sweep of the Red Sox at McAfee Coliseum.

Blanton (3-6), winless since April 27, pitched six innings and allowed five hits and three runs while walking four and striking out a season high-tying seven batters. He won for the first time in five starts.

The Athletics' righthander was 0-2 in his last four starts and 0-5 at home prior to picking up his first win of the season at McAfee Coliseum.

"It felt pretty good to get off the zero mark on the home win column," Blanton said. "Maybe I will be a little more relaxed when I throw here now.

"I didn't have the best stuff today. I had to battle out there. I kind of worked myself into jams walking guys in the fifth inning and felt fortunate to get out of there with the lead."

Blanton was backed by scoreless relief work from Keith Foulke, Joey Devine, Alan Embree and Huston Street, who pitched the ninth to record his 11th save of the season.

Boston starter Jon Lester (3-3), making his first start since Monday's no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals, suffered the loss after working five innings and surrendering four runs - three earned - while walking two and striking out three.

"All the positives we talked about from the start before, getting ahead, dictating the count, I did the complete opposite today," Lester said. "It's just frustrating. I never really found a rhythm. All the things we strived to get better at this year it seems like things just went backward.

"I made some good pitches when I had to, but it's just tough pitching out of jams every inning. I finally hit my stride in the fifth inning and felt I threw the ball better. It's good to end on a good note. I felt like I finally got into a rhythm."

The loss marked the third straight for the Red Sox following a perfect seven-game homestand. Boston has now lost seven straight road games, eight of nine and nine of 11 away from Fenway Park.

The question as to whether Lester would throw a second consecutive no-hitter was quickly answered as Hannahan opened the bottom of the first with a line single into left field.

Hannahan eventually scored the tying run on a two-out single up the middle by Emil Brown.

"I thought coming out of the bullpen he (Lester) was strong," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "That was part of the one thing we were looking for. We talked about it all week.

"His command wasn't as strong as it was the other day. He left some balls over the middle of the plate, threw a lot of pitches and had deep counts. His last inning was probably his best inning. Over a two-game period, I don't think we were comfortable letting him go a whole lot longer."

Boston had grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-out home run to right-center field by David Ortiz.

Oakland went ahead, 2-1, in the third inning, on an unearned run. Hannahan opened the frame with a fly ball to the warning track in left field, where Manny Ramirez went back on the ball and dropped it for three-base error. One out later, Hannahan scored on a single to center by Mike Sweeney.

The Athletics increased their lead to 4-1 in the fourth on a bases-loaded, two-run single by Hannahan.