BOSTON — It was only two years ago that there were questions about whether Jackie Bradley Jr. could perform consistently at the major league level.

Two months into the best offensive start to a season in his career, he continues to prove a lot of people wrong.

Dustin Pedroia hasn't been as big a big story for the Red Sox this season as his teammate David Ortiz, but he has reclaimed his spot as one of baseball’s most consistent hitters. The Associated Press

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WHO: Astros (Keuchel 2-4) at Red Sox (Price 4-1)

WHEN: 7:10 p.m. Thursday

TV: NESN

Bradley had two home runs and six RBI to extend his hitting streak to 17 games, and the Boston Red Sox completed a three-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics with a 13-3 win on Wednesday night.

Bradley said he’s never doubted his ability to put up the kind of numbers he has over the first two months of this season.

“I’ve been able to do it at every level. I think it was just a matter of time,” Bradley said. “Everybody kind of moves at their own speed. All I could constantly do was just work. No need to get mad or upset. Just try to get better.”

Boston scored six runs in the first four innings and then had four more in the fifth to post its third straight game with at least 10 runs. Dustin Pedroia added a home run and the Red Sox finished with a season-high 17 hits.

For the series Bradley finished 8 for 14 with three homers and 13 RBI. The Red Sox outscored the Athletics 40-15.

“The lineup, up and down, it’s a relentless group and they’re not giving at-bats away,” Manager John Farrell said. “We’re in a stretch right now where we’re driving the baseball.”

Oakland has lost a season-high five straight.

Manager Bob Melvin said nothing went right for his team this week.

“Tough series for us, team’s playing hot, swinging the bats well, doing everything right,” he said. “We’re playing out of position. The bullpen’s in disarray for us.”

Rick Porcello (6-1) got the win, and has pitched six or more innings in 15 straight starts – extending the longest active streak in the majors.

Eric Surkamp (0-3) took the loss after giving up four runs in just 22/3 innings of work.

Bradley also had six RBI in the series opener on Monday.

The Athletics have now allowed 11 or more runs in each of their last four games, the longest such streak in franchise history.

Boston has thrived early in games this season and entered Wednesday having outscored its opponents 38-11 in the first inning. This time it took an inning before its bats came to life.

Bradley started it off with his first home run off the roof of Red Sox’s bullpen that put Boston in front 3-1. It was his second home run of the series and fifth during his streak.

Oakland tied it in the third inning with Khris Davis’s two-run single. Boston then came right back in its half of the inning to retake the lead for good on Chris Young’s RBI double off Fenway’s green monster.

NOTES: Farrell said the window for the return RHP Joe Kelly (right shoulder impingement) and LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (right knee) from the disabled list could be somewhat tricky because of a few oddly placed off days for Boston on May 19 and 23. Kelly pitched a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket Wednesday and Rodriguez next one is set for Friday. … The ceremonial first pitch was thrown out by Maverick Schutte, a 6-year-old with a congenital heart defect. David Ortiz met Schutte, who has endured more than 30 surgeries for his ailment, before the Red Sox’s April 29 game against the Yankees and promised him that he’d hit a home run for him. He did in a 4-2 win. Schutte, with Ortiz serving as his catcher, went into a windmill windup before delivering his pitch to an ovation from the Fenway Park crowd.

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