The Boston Red Sox have now won nine games in a row, a streak that has seen them go 18-3 since the All-Star break.
The team's hot form continued on Friday, Aug. 7, as they defeated the Athletics 13-1 at Fenway Park. Payton Tolle was the star of the show, striking out a career-high 14 batters in his six innings of work.
The second-year lefthander was perfect through four innings and struck out the side in the second and fourth. He then struck out the last three batters he faced after an infield single in the sixth.
Tolle gave up just two hits and no walks, firing 61 of his 84 pitches for strikes. The Red Sox then extended their lead to 11-1 in the bottom of the sixth.
The team finished with 15 hits, putting up double-digit runs for the third time in four games. Boston's hot streak started well before the All-Star break, with the team now sitting at 64-51 after falling to 32-46 on June 24.
Their 32-5 stretch has put them well inside wild card position and in striking distance of the AL-best Tampa Bay Rays. The Red Sox will look to continue their winning form in their next game.
The team's impressive run has seen them go from being one of the worst teams in the league to a contender for the playoffs. Their recent form has put them in a strong position to make a deep run in the postseason.
Source: Yahoo Sports