MLB: Boston 8, Oakland 6

BOSTON, June 3 (UPI) -- A two-run single by Carl Crawford put Boston in front for good in the seventh inning Friday and the Red Sox went on to defeat Oakland 8-6.

Boston dug itself out of an instant 4-0 hole, battling back to snap a four-game losing streak. Oakland has lost four straight.

Mark Ellis gave the Athletics a good start with a two-run double during a four-run first inning. The Red Sox came back to take the lead in the third, David Ortiz keying the comeback with an RBI single in the first and a run-scoring double in the third.

Oakland went back in front in the fifth and was still ahead by a run going into the bottom of the seventh. The Red Sox eventually loaded the bases in that inning and Crawford came through with a two-out single to center that brought home two runs.

Joey Devine (0-1) was on the mound to start the seventh and took the loss.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia added a solo homer in the eighth for the Red Sox.

Bobby Jenks (2-2) got the win with an inning of relief. Jonathan Papelbon gathered his 11th save with a perfect ninth.