Straight A’s

LaRoche proved that again last night, with two more doubles. He wasn’t alone, either, as the rest of the offense joined him in a 14-hit effort as the Sox took the first of a four-game series from the A’s, 8-3.

“When you see this, and how this atmosphere gives you like a new life almost, it just really energizes you,’’ LaRoche said. “I kind of, in some ways, feel like a rookie again with the energy of these guys, the excitement. It’s fun to come to the field.’’

Comfortable too, as LaRoche said. At least on the field. He’s still having trouble off it, though he has gradually decreased his travel time each day. He said the first day it took him 45 minutes to get to the ballpark, then 30, then 15, from his current perch in J.D. Drew’s house. There are still difficulties in his new position and new home, he just hasn’t shown it with a bat in his hands.

“It’s tough coming in a new place,’’ Dustin Pedroia said. “Just like Jason did, Adam’s swinging the bat well. He’s a great guy. He’s been great in the clubhouse. We’re happy to have him here.’’

With a two-run homer in his first game and two singles in his second, LaRoche topped himself with doubles in his first two at-bats against the A’s. Although he was stranded on second in the second inning, the double in the fourth was more effective. After Bay walked and Drew - caught in an epic July slump - singled, LaRoche drove in Bay with a double off the Wall to give the Sox a 3-0 lead. As manager Terry Francona said, “He leverages that ball to left field. That’s a very good fit.’’

A single by Jason Varitek and a sacrifice fly by Jed Lowrie added two more runs in the inning for a team desperate for offense.