OAKLAND, Calif., May 24 (UPI) -- Home runs by Frank Thomas and Mark Ellis staked Oakland to an early lead Friday and the Athletics ended Boston's seven-game winning streak with an 8-3 victory.
Thomas delivered a two-run blast in the first inning off Tim Wakefield and Mark Ellis added a three-run shot in the third to help the A's build a 7-0 advantage.
Rich Harden (3-0) limited the Red Sox to two runs on four hits over six innings to get the win. Oakland won its second straight, but posted only its third triumph in 10 games.
Wakefield (3-3) surrendered eight runs on eight hits in five innings.
Boston began a 10-game road trip after a perfect home stand that included a four-game sweep of Kansas City. The seven-game winning streak had been Boston's longest in two years.
