By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Thursday, June 19, 2014

Oakland’s Scott Kasmir worked seven strong innings, Yoenis Cespedes cranked his 14th home run of the season, and the Athletics defeated Boston 4-2 Thursday night at the Coliseum.

Not only did the A’s (45-28) maintain their lead in the American League West, they improved to a season-high 17 games over .500 – the best record in the Major Leagues and Oakland’s best start since 1990. In the process, the A’s snapped Boston’s three-game winning streak.

Kasmir (9-2) had extended his streak of innings without allowing an earned run to 18 1/3 before the Red Sox’ Dustin Pedroia hit a two-run homer in the sixth. Overall, Kasmir struck out eight, issued no walks, and is 4-0 with a 1.27 ERA in his last five starts.

Cespedes had homered against Boston previously. He hit a two-out solo dinger off Jake Peavy (1-5) in the third inning. Oakland also had help from Stephen Vogt, who had two singles and two runs batted in, Jed Lowrie scored twice (with Vogt batting), and John Jaso singled in a run in the seventh.

Vogt’s RBI single in the fourth gave Oakland a 3-0 lead. Luke Gregerson pitched a scoreless eighth, and Dan Otero did the same in the ninth for his first career save.

Peavy, meanwhile, is winless over his last 10 starts. He allowed five hits over 6 1/3 innings, struck out four and walked three, and retired eight of the final nine hitters he faced.

The weekend series continues Friday, when Brad Mills makes his Oakland debut against the Red Sox’ Felix Doubront in a battle of left-handers. Mills was acquired from Milwaukee earlier this week.

A’s ACORNS: Cespedes is batting .343 with four home runs and 12 RBIs through 17 games in June. He has 49 RBIs on the season…. Otero was serving as the A’s closer Thursday because Sean Doolittle had pitched the previous two games.