BOSTON — Xander Bogaerts hit a three-run homer, J.D. Martinez added a two-run shot and the Boston Red Sox avoided their first series sweep this season with a 6-4 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night.

The win also prevented Boston from matching its season-high losing streak of three games.

Chris Sale (4-1) gave up two runs and two hits in five innings, striking out nine and walking four – his most base on balls since also allowing four on August 31, 2016.

Craig Kimbrel, the fourth reliever, got the final three outs for his 12th save.

Marcus Semien hit a two-run homer, and Matt Joyce and Matt Olson each hit a solo shot for the Athletics, who won the first two games and finished the season series by winning 4 of 6.

Trevor Cahill (1-2) gave up three runs to the first four batters, but held the Red Sox scoreless the rest his five innings.

Coming off a career-tying 15-strikeout performance over nine innings in his previous start, Sale struggled with his command on a chilly, misty evening and was lifted after 102 pitches.

Martinez’s homer into the center-field seats highlighted a three-run first. Hanley Ramirez had a run-scoring grounder before Martinez’s drive into the first section of the bleachers to the right of the Green Monster.

Bogaerts’ homer completely left Fenway Park over the Monster and made it 6-2 in the sixth.

Semien’s drive also left Fenway over the Monster.

NOTES: Second baseman Dustin Pedroia (recovering from offseason left knee surgery) is expected to resume his rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday. With the PawSox rained out Tuesday and a morning game Wednesday, Pedroia was in Boston. Manager Alex Cora said they’d find somewhere for him to play if expected rain comes this weekend. “He needs his repetitions,” Cora said. “We’ll find innings.”

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