Lewis on Tear for Red Sox

Darren Lewis, in an 0-for-18 slump until hitting a home run Tuesday, showed he is turning around his hitting a day later, rapping a bases-loaded single through a drawn-in in field to help give the Red Sox a 7-4 win over Oakland.

The Red Sox, who have won 15 times this season in their last at-bat, are 9-1 against the Athletics.

“We’ve had a lot of people contribute in the late innings,” Red Sox Manager Jimy Williams said. “It’s not just one. They feel good as a team together.”

With the scored tied, 4-4, Mike Stanley led off Boston’s eighth with a single against Tim Worrell (2-7) and Damon Buford pinch-ran. Darren Bragg sacrificed and Scott Hatteberg was intentionally walked before pinch-hitter Jason Varitek walked on a close 3-and-2 pitch, which had Worrell jawing with plate umpire Tim Tschida.

Lewis sent the next pitch up the middle, past diving shortstop Miguel Tejada. Mo Vaughn added an RBI single to make it 7-4.

“With the bases loaded it’s important to go up there and be aggressive,” said Lewis, who grew up an A’s fan and lives in the Bay Area during the off-season. “He was trying to get ahead with his fastball. He was upset with the umpire after making a tough call.”

John Wasdin (6-4) retired one batter for the win, and Tom Gordon pitched the ninth inning for his 38th save--34th in a row--in 39 chances.

The Red Sox scored three runs in the third inning to take a 3-1 lead against Oakland starter Blake Stein. Jason Giambi booted Bragg’s grounder, allowing Troy O’Leary to score from third with the first run. Hatteberg had an RBI single and Lewis hit a sacrifice fly.

Boston added a run in the fourth when Stein’s wild pitch scored Hatteberg.