After Varitek was hit to reach base for Boston, Coco Crisp tried to bunt for a hit but the ball rolled just foul down the first-base line before he later struck out. Duchscherer got through six innings on 78 pitches.

“He was incredible,” teammate Mark Ellis said. “He can throw the ball wherever he wants to throw it.”

After Beckett allowed Mike Sweeney’s leadoff double in the second, Emil Brown’s RBI groundout gave the A’s a 1-0 lead. Ellis followed with a single and Beckett then retired the next 11 Oakland hitters before Bobby Crosby’s single leading off the sixth.

Ryan Sweeney connected for his second home run leading off the seventh, giving the A’s a longball in a season-best seven straight games. Mike Sweeney singled in an insurance run in the eighth.

“When you have such a potent offense in the dugout over there, it makes it all the more special to have that kind of performance against the Red Sox,” Geren said.

Jack Cust struck out looking in his first three at-bats against Beckett, then was lifted for defense and Rajai Davis entered and moved to center.

Slumping Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez got the night off, a mental break of sorts. He is slated to play in Sunday’s series finale. Ramirez has two hits in his past 23 at-bats and is hitting .189 (17-for-90) over his past 24 games.

“He’s had a tough stretch,” Francona said. “He came in here a little bit ago and said thanks. He’s been working. I think this will be really good for him. I can’t imagine coming to the ballpark and not wanting to put him in there. Sometimes it’s in our best interest.”

Notes: The Red Sox went 0-for-18 in the first three innings Friday and Saturday. ... A’s rookie 1B Daric Barton was out and nursing tonsillitis. He might not play until Tuesday, the series opener against Toronto after a day off for the club Monday. ... The Red Sox activated OF Brandon Moss from 15-day disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Pawtucket. Also, Boston RHP Julian Tavarez was granted his release. ... The 2-year-old son of late A’s pitcher Joe Kennedy, Kaige, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Kennedy died last November at age 28 from a heart condition.

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