Chavez Leads A’s Past Red Sox, 13-6

Nobody in the Oakland clubhouse could remember the Athletics’ last lopsided victory.

They defeated Tampa Bay by five runs on April 10, but every victory since had been a challenge until the A’s routed the World Series champions Wednesday at Oakland.

Eric Chavez hit a three-run homer, David Wells flopped in his first start in three weeks and the A’s defeated the Boston Red Sox, 13-6, to win the three-game series. Oakland had dropped its previous four series since taking two of three from Seattle from April 29 to May 1.

“It’s been a while since we’ve done that,” Chavez said. “We’ve had a lack of production at the plate, and now we’re starting to swing the bats better.”

Seth Etherton (1-0), called up from triple-A Sacramento on Sunday to make his first major league appearance since 2003, pitched 7 1/3 strong innings a day before his wife was scheduled to deliver their first child.

The right-hander retired 15 of the first 17 Boston batters.

And an Oakland starting pitcher got plenty of run support for a change. The A’s reached double figures in runs for the first time -- they were the only team in the majors that hadn’t scored 10 or more in a game.

This is a whirlwind week for Etherton, who hadn’t pitched in the majors since losing a start for Cincinnati on Sept. 17, 2003, at Pittsburgh.

After the game, he was headed to the airport to return home to Laguna Beach where his wife, Summer, will be induced today ahead of her Tuesday due date. Their son will be named Duke Michael -- after Duke Snider -- and the team is letting Etherton stay home until Sunday.

“It’s a big week,” Etherton said. “Now it’s time to get nervous.”

Seattle 7, New York 6 -- The Yankees committed three errors, the final one leading to the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, and their 10-game winning streak was stopped at Seattle.

Minnesota 3, Toronto 2 -- Jacque Jones and Michael Cuddyer homered at Minneapolis and the Twins held off the Blue Jays. Joe Nathan worked the ninth for his 12th save in 13 opportunities.

Detroit 6, Tampa Bay 4 -- Dmitri Young homered and Omar Infante drove in two runs and the Tigers took advantage of three Devil Ray errors to win at Detroit.

Chicago 7, Texas 0 -- Mark Buehrle won his sixth decision in a row and Jermaine Dye doubled three times, once with the bases loaded, to help the White Sox win at Chicago.

Baltimore 7, Kansas City 4 -- Melvin Mora had two homers and drove in four runs at Kansas City, Mo., and the Orioles defeated the Royals for their sixth consecutive victory.