Athletics on the upswing after snapping skid against Red Sox

(Photo credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports)

The Oakland Athletics take aim at their second straight win and look to claim a series win versus the host Boston Red Sox in the rubber match of their three-game set on Thursday.

Oakland, which is 5-3 in its last eight games, snapped a two-game skid Wednesday with a 5-2 win over Boston. LawrenceButler ripped a two-run double, Max Schuemann also had two hits and left-hander