GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: TEXAS (69-76) at OAKLAND (71-76)

AL: TEXAS at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: H Street relieved R Lugo.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 5
OAKLAND 6 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR TEXAS: I Kinsler (.271, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: TEXAS at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: N Swisher in right field.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 5
OAKLAND 6 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR TEXAS: I Kinsler (.271, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: TEXAS at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J DaVanon in center field.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 5
OAKLAND 6 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR TEXAS: I Kinsler (.271, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: TEXAS at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TEXAS 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 5 10 1
OAKLAND 2 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 x 6 10 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: TEX - KEVIN MILLWOOD, BILL WHITE (5TH), JOHN RHEINECKER (7TH), C.J.
WILSON (8TH) AND JARROD SALTALAMACCHIA

OAK - CHAD GAUDIN, SANTIAGO CASILLA (7TH), RUDDY LUGO
(7TH), HUSTON STREET (9TH) AND ROB BOWEN

HOME RUNS: TEX - JASON BOTTS (2) OFF CHAD GAUDIN IN THE 2ND, 0 ON

OAK - NICK SWISHER (20) OFF KEVIN MILLWOOD IN THE 3RD, 1 ON</div>

 

AL: TEXAS at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TEXAS 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 5 10 1
OAKLAND 2 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 x 6 10 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: TEX - KEVIN MILLWOOD, BILL WHITE (5TH), JOHN RHEINECKER (7TH), C.J.
WILSON (8TH) AND JARROD SALTALAMACCHIA

OAK - CHAD GAUDIN, SANTIAGO CASILLA (7TH), RUDDY LUGO
(7TH), HUSTON STREET (9TH) AND ROB BOWEN


WP - CHAD GAUDIN (11-11)
LP - KEVIN MILLWOOD (9-12)
SAVE - HUSTON STREET (15)

HOME RUNS: TEX - JASON BOTTS (2) OFF CHAD GAUDIN IN THE 2ND, 0 ON

OAK - NICK SWISHER (20) OFF KEVIN MILLWOOD IN THE 3RD, 1 ON


TIME: 3:12 ATT: 16,240

PROBABLES: TEX - KASON GABBARD (6-1, 4.07)
OAK - DAN MEYER (0-1, 4.32)</div>

 

AL: TEXAS at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">TEXAS (5) VS OAKLAND (6) - FINAL

TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
F Catalanotto 1b 4 1 2 2 0 0 1 .275
I Kinsler 2b 4 1 0 0 0 2 2 .270
M Young ss 5 0 3 2 0 1 1 .313
M Byrd rf-lf 5 0 0 0 0 3 5 .307
J Botts lf 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 .237
N Cruz rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .221
H Blalock dh 2 0 2 0 2 0 0 .299
D Murphy cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 .385
J Saltalamacchia c 4 1 1 0 0 0 3 .237
R Vazquez 3b 3 1 1 0 1 2 1 .240
F Guzman pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000
T Metcalf 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .242

Totals 34 5 10 5 4 9 18

BATTING: 2B - H Blalock (14, C Gaudin); R Vazquez (12, C Gaudin); M Young (36,
S Casilla). HR - J Botts (2, 2nd inning off C Gaudin 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - J
Botts (13), F Catalanotto 2 (43), M Young 2 (76). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - M Byrd 1, R Vazquez 1, D Murphy 1. GIDP - J Saltalamacchia, D
Murphy, F Catalanotto. Team LOB - 8.

FIELDING: E - J Saltalamacchia (7, throw).


OAKLAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
S Stewart lf 4 0 1 0 1 0 2 .290
D Barton 1b 5 2 2 0 0 0 2 .353
N Swisher cf-rf 4 2 2 2 1 0 2 .263
J Cust rf 3 1 1 2 2 0 0 .256
J DaVanon cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .220
M Ellis 2b 3 1 1 0 1 0 1 .276
D Johnson dh 3 0 0 0 1 3 6 .231
M Scutaro ss 3 0 1 1 0 0 3 .264
J Hannahan 3b 4 0 2 1 0 0 0 .272
R Bowen c 4 0 0 0 0 3 3 .324

Totals 33 6 10 6 6 6 19

BATTING: 2B - J Cust (17, K Millwood); D Barton (2, K Millwood); J Hannahan (7,
B White). HR - N Swisher (20, 3rd inning off K Millwood 1 on, 0 Out). SF - M
Scutaro. RBI - J Cust 2 (75), N Swisher 2 (71), M Scutaro (41), J Hannahan
(17). 2-out RBI - J Hannahan. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M
Scutaro 2, R Bowen 1, S Stewart 1, D Johnson 2, N Swisher 1. Team LOB - 10.

BASERUNNING: SB - M Ellis (9, 2nd base off K Millwood/J Saltalamacchia).

FIELDING: DP: 3 (D Barton-M Scutaro-D Barton, M Ellis-M Scutaro-D Barton, M
Scutaro-M Ellis-D Barton).


----------------------------------------------------
TEXAS - 010 000 400 -- 5
OAKLAND - 202 020 00x -- 6
----------------------------------------------------

TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era
K Millwood (L, 9-12) 4 2/3 8 6 6 3 4 1 5.51
B White 1 1/3 1 0 0 3 1 0 2.25
J Rheinecker 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 5.36
C Wilson 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.94

OAKLAND ip h r er bb so hr era
C Gaudin (W, 11-11) 6 8 3 3 2 8 1 4.47
S Casilla 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 4.30
R Lugo (H, 1) 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 5.54
H Street (S, 15) 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.00

C Gaudin pitched to 2 batters in the 7th.
S Casilla pitched to 3 batters in the 7th.

IBB - M Ellis (by B White). HBP - F Catalanotto (by C Gaudin); I Kinsler (by
S Casilla). Pitches-strikes: K Millwood 92-58; B White 36-14; J Rheinecker
16-9; C Wilson 17-9; C Gaudin 103-64; S Casilla 12-7; R Lugo 38-23; H Street
12-9. Ground balls-fly balls: K Millwood 3-7; B White 1-2; J Rheinecker 1-1; C
Wilson 1-2; C Gaudin 7-3; S Casilla 0-0; R Lugo 4-2; H Street 2-0. Batters
faced: K Millwood 25; B White 8; J Rheinecker 4; C Wilson 3; C Gaudin 27; S
Casilla 3; R Lugo 7; H Street 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Rick Reed. 1B--Tim Timmons. 2B--Alfonso Marquez. 3B--Chuck
Meriwether.

T--3:12. Att--16,240.
Weather: 67 degrees, clear. Wind: 12 mph, in from
right.</div>

 

AL: TEXAS at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
TEXAS 5
OAKLAND 6 FINAL</div>

 

AL: TEXAS at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TEXAS (5) AT OAKLAND (6) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OAKLAND 1ST: S Stewart singled to center. D Barton grounded into fielder's
choice to third, S Stewart out at second. N Swisher singled to left, D Barton
to second. J Cust doubled to deep center, D Barton and N Swisher scored.
M Ellis grounded out to shortstop, J Cust to third. D Johnson walked. M Scutaro
popped out to third. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0, OAKLAND 2.

TEXAS 2ND: J Botts homered to center. H Blalock doubled to deep right.
D Murphy grounded out to second, H Blalock to third. J Saltalamacchia grounded
out to shortstop. R Vazquez struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
TEXAS 1, OAKLAND 2.

OAKLAND 3RD: D Barton doubled to deep right. N Swisher homered to center,
D Barton scored. J Cust walked. M Ellis grounded into fielder's choice to
third, J Cust out at second. D Johnson struck out looking, M Ellis stole
second, M Ellis to third on throwing error by catcher J Saltalamacchia.
M Scutaro flied out to left. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Error) TEXAS 1, OAKLAND 4.

OAKLAND 5TH: J Cust walked. M Ellis singled to right, J Cust to third.
D Johnson struck out swinging. M Scutaro hit sacrifice fly to right, J Cust
scored, M Ellis to second. B White relieved K Millwood. J Hannahan doubled to
deep center, M Ellis scored. R Bowen lined out to center. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
TEXAS 1, OAKLAND 6.

TEXAS 7TH: J Saltalamacchia singled to left. R Vazquez hit a ground rule
double to deep left, J Saltalamacchia to third. S Casilla relieved C Gaudin.
F Catalanotto singled to left, J Saltalamacchia and R Vazquez scored. I Kinsler
hit by pitch, F Catalanotto to second. M Young doubled to deep center,
F Catalanotto and I Kinsler scored. R Lugo relieved S Casilla. M Byrd grounded
out to third. J Botts popped out to shortstop. H Blalock walked. D Murphy
flied out to right. (4 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 5, OAKLAND 6.</div>

 

AL: TEXAS at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TEXAS (5) AT OAKLAND (6) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Texas Starting Lineups -- F Catalanotto 1B, I Kinsler 2B, M Young SS, M Byrd RF,
J Botts LF, H Blalock DH, D Murphy CF, J Saltalamacchia C, R Vazquez 3B, K Millwood RHP.

Oakland Starting Lineups -- S Stewart LF, D Barton 1B, N Swisher CF, J Cust RF,
M Ellis 2B, D Johnson DH, M Scutaro SS, J Hannahan 3B, R Bowen C, C Gaudin RHP.

Umpires -- Rick Reed (HP), Tim Timmons (1B), Alfonso Marquez (2B), Chuck
Meriwether (3B).

Gametime Weather: 67 degrees, Clear, wind in from right at 12 mph.


TEXAS 1ST: F Catalanotto singled to center. I Kinsler struck out looking.
M Young flied out to left. M Byrd struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) TEXAS 0, OAKLAND 0.

OAKLAND 1ST: S Stewart singled to center. D Barton grounded into fielder's
choice to third, S Stewart out at second. N Swisher singled to left, D Barton
to second. J Cust doubled to deep center, D Barton and N Swisher scored.
M Ellis grounded out to shortstop, J Cust to third. D Johnson walked. M Scutaro
popped out to third. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0, OAKLAND 2.

TEXAS 2ND: J Botts homered to center. H Blalock doubled to deep right.
D Murphy grounded out to second, H Blalock to third. J Saltalamacchia grounded
out to shortstop. R Vazquez struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
TEXAS 1, OAKLAND 2.

OAKLAND 2ND: J Hannahan lined out to left. R Bowen struck out looking.
S Stewart flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, OAKLAND 2.

TEXAS 3RD: F Catalanotto lined out to shortstop. I Kinsler struck out
swinging. M Young singled to center. M Byrd struck out swinging. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, OAKLAND 2.

OAKLAND 3RD: D Barton doubled to deep right. N Swisher homered to center,
D Barton scored. J Cust walked. M Ellis grounded into fielder's choice to
third, J Cust out at second. D Johnson struck out looking, M Ellis stole
second, M Ellis to third on throwing error by catcher J Saltalamacchia.
M Scutaro flied out to left. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Error) TEXAS 1, OAKLAND 4.

TEXAS 4TH: J Botts walked. H Blalock walked, J Botts to second. D Murphy
grounded into fielder's choice to second, H Blalock out at second, J Botts to
third. J Saltalamacchia grounded into double play, first to shortstop to
first, D Murphy out at second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, OAKLAND 4.

OAKLAND 4TH: J Hannahan singled to left. R Bowen struck out looking.
S Stewart fouled out to first. D Barton singled to center, J Hannahan to second.
N Swisher flied out to left. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, OAKLAND 4.

TEXAS 5TH: R Vazquez struck out looking. F Catalanotto hit by pitch.
I Kinsler flied out to left. M Young singled to right, F Catalanotto to second.
M Byrd struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, OAKLAND 4.

OAKLAND 5TH: J Cust walked. M Ellis singled to right, J Cust to third.
D Johnson struck out swinging. M Scutaro hit sacrifice fly to right, J Cust
scored, M Ellis to second. B White relieved K Millwood. J Hannahan doubled to
deep center, M Ellis scored. R Bowen lined out to center. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
TEXAS 1, OAKLAND 6.

TEXAS 6TH: J Botts struck out swinging. H Blalock singled to right.
D Murphy grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, H Blalock out
at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, OAKLAND 6.

OAKLAND 6TH: S Stewart walked. D Barton popped out to shortstop.
N Swisher walked, S Stewart to second. J Cust grounded out to second, S Stewart
to third, N Swisher to second. M Ellis intentionally walked. D Johnson struck
out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, OAKLAND 6.

TEXAS 7TH: J Saltalamacchia singled to left. R Vazquez hit a ground rule
double to deep left, J Saltalamacchia to third. S Casilla relieved C Gaudin.
F Catalanotto singled to left, J Saltalamacchia and R Vazquez scored. I Kinsler
hit by pitch, F Catalanotto to second. M Young doubled to deep center,
F Catalanotto and I Kinsler scored. R Lugo relieved S Casilla. M Byrd grounded
out to third. J Botts popped out to shortstop. H Blalock walked. D Murphy
flied out to right. (4 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 5, OAKLAND 6.

OAKLAND 7TH: J Rheinecker relieved B White. M Byrd in left field. N Cruz in
right field. M Scutaro singled to left center. J Hannahan grounded out to
third, M Scutaro to second. R Bowen struck out looking. S Stewart lined out
to left. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 5, OAKLAND 6.

TEXAS 8TH: J Saltalamacchia grounded out to second. R Vazquez walked.
F Guzman ran for R Vazquez. F Catalanotto grounded into double play, shortstop to
second to first, F Guzman out at second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 5,
OAKLAND 6.

OAKLAND 8TH: T Metcalf at third base. C Wilson relieved J Rheinecker.
D Barton grounded out to first. N Swisher popped out to second. J Cust popped
out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 5, OAKLAND 6.

TEXAS 9TH: H Street relieved R Lugo. N Swisher in right field. J DaVanon in
center field. I Kinsler grounded out to second. M Young struck out swinging.
M Byrd grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 5, OAKLAND 6.</div>

 

Swisher homers, A's hang on to give Gaudin a rare win

<h3>OAKLAND 6, TEXAS 5</h3>By Tom Kent
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


OAKLAND, California (Ticker) - The Oakland Athletics managedjust enough offense against the Texas Rangers.


Nick Swisher belted a two-run home run and Chad Gaudin pitchedsix effective innings as the Athletics held off the Rangers,6-5, on Thursday.


With Oakland leading, 2-1, in the third, rookie Daric Barton ledoff the frame with a double down the right field line off Texasstarter Kevin Millwood (9-12). Swisher then deposited a 1-0offering over the center field wall for his 20th homer of theseason and a 4-1 advantage.


Given a lead, Gaudin (11-11), who had not won since August 23,managed to keep the Rangers in check by yielding three runs insix innings. He walked two and struck out eight.


For Gaudin, the 2007 campaign has been a tale of two seasons.

The 24-year-old righthander had posted an impressive 8-3 recordwith a 2.88 ERA in 18 starts prior to the All-Star break.However, the converted reliever faltered after the break, going2-8 with a 7.01 ERA in 12 starts.


Gaudin was chased in the seventh with a 4-1 lead aftersurrendering a single to Jarrod Saltalamacchia and a double toRamon Vazquez. Frank Catalanotto then lined a single to leftoff A's reliever Santiago Casilla and, after Ian Kinsler was hitby a pitch, Michael Young doubled to right to cut the deficitto 6-5.


Rudy Lugo threw two scoreless innings and closer Huston Streetworked a perfect ninth for his 15th save in 19 chances.

Millwood, who was looking to notch his second consecutive 10-winseason, allowed six runs and eight hits in just 4 2/3 inningswhile pitching on three days' rest.


Young singled in the third to extend his hitting streak to ateam- and season-high 13 games for Texas, which has lost threestraight after a season-high six-game winning streak.

Jack Cust drove in two runs for the Athletics.

 

AL: TEXAS at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">TEXAS (5) VS OAKLAND (6) - FINAL

TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
F Catalanotto 1b 4 1 2 2 0 0 1 .275
I Kinsler 2b 4 1 0 0 0 2 2 .270
M Young ss 5 0 3 2 0 1 1 .313
M Byrd rf-lf 5 0 0 0 0 3 5 .307
J Botts lf 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 .237
N Cruz rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .221
H Blalock dh 2 0 2 0 2 0 0 .299
D Murphy cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 .385
J Saltalamacchia c 4 1 1 0 0 0 3 .237
R Vazquez 3b 3 1 1 0 1 2 1 .240
F Guzman pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000
T Metcalf 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .242

Totals 34 5 10 5 4 9 18

BATTING: 2B - H Blalock (14, C Gaudin); R Vazquez (12, C Gaudin); M Young (36,
S Casilla). HR - J Botts (2, 2nd inning off C Gaudin 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - J
Botts (13), F Catalanotto 2 (43), M Young 2 (76). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - M Byrd 1, R Vazquez 1, D Murphy 1. GIDP - J Saltalamacchia, D
Murphy, F Catalanotto. Team LOB - 8.

FIELDING: E - J Saltalamacchia (7, throw).


OAKLAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
S Stewart lf 4 0 1 0 1 0 2 .290
D Barton 1b 5 2 2 0 0 0 2 .353
N Swisher cf-rf 4 2 2 2 1 0 2 .263
J Cust rf 3 1 1 2 2 0 0 .256
J DaVanon cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .220
M Ellis 2b 3 1 1 0 1 0 1 .276
D Johnson dh 3 0 0 0 1 3 6 .231
M Scutaro ss 3 0 1 1 0 0 3 .264
J Hannahan 3b 4 0 2 1 0 0 0 .272
R Bowen c 4 0 0 0 0 3 3 .324

Totals 33 6 10 6 6 6 19

BATTING: 2B - J Cust (17, K Millwood); D Barton (2, K Millwood); J Hannahan (7,
B White). HR - N Swisher (20, 3rd inning off K Millwood 1 on, 0 Out). SF - M
Scutaro. RBI - J Cust 2 (75), N Swisher 2 (71), M Scutaro (41), J Hannahan
(17). 2-out RBI - J Hannahan. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M
Scutaro 2, R Bowen 1, S Stewart 1, D Johnson 2, N Swisher 1. Team LOB - 10.

BASERUNNING: SB - M Ellis (9, 2nd base off K Millwood/J Saltalamacchia).

FIELDING: DP: 3 (D Barton-M Scutaro-D Barton, M Ellis-M Scutaro-D Barton, M
Scutaro-M Ellis-D Barton).


----------------------------------------------------
TEXAS - 010 000 400 -- 5
OAKLAND - 202 020 00x -- 6
----------------------------------------------------

TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era
K Millwood (L, 9-12) 4 2/3 8 6 6 3 4 1 5.51
B White 1 1/3 1 0 0 3 1 0 2.25
J Rheinecker 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 5.36
C Wilson 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.94

OAKLAND ip h r er bb so hr era
C Gaudin (W, 11-11) 6 8 3 3 2 8 1 4.47
S Casilla 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 4.30
R Lugo (H, 1) 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 5.54
H Street (S, 15) 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.00

C Gaudin pitched to 2 batters in the 7th.
S Casilla pitched to 3 batters in the 7th.

IBB - M Ellis (by B White). HBP - F Catalanotto (by C Gaudin); I Kinsler (by
S Casilla). Pitches-strikes: K Millwood 92-58; B White 36-14; J Rheinecker
16-9; C Wilson 17-9; C Gaudin 103-64; S Casilla 12-7; R Lugo 38-23; H Street
12-9. Ground balls-fly balls: K Millwood 3-7; B White 1-2; J Rheinecker 1-1; C
Wilson 1-2; C Gaudin 7-3; S Casilla 0-0; R Lugo 4-2; H Street 2-0. Batters
faced: K Millwood 25; B White 8; J Rheinecker 4; C Wilson 3; C Gaudin 27; S
Casilla 3; R Lugo 7; H Street 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Rick Reed. 1B--Tim Timmons. 2B--Alfonso Marquez. 3B--Chuck
Meriwether.

T--3:13. Att--16,240.
Weather: 67 degrees, clear. Wind: 12 mph, in from
right.</div>

 

Swisher homers, A's hang on to give Gaudin a rare win

<h3>OAKLAND 6, TEXAS 5</h3>By Tom Kent
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


OAKLAND, California (Ticker) - The Oakland Athletics managedjust enough offense against the Texas Rangers.


Nick Swisher belted a two-run home run and Chad Gaudin pitchedsix effective innings as the Athletics held off the Rangers,6-5, on Thursday.


With Oakland leading, 2-1, in the third, rookie Daric Barton ledoff the frame with a double down the right field line off Texasstarter Kevin Millwood (9-12). Swisher then deposited a 1-0offering over the center field wall for his 20th homer of theseason and a 4-1 advantage.


"I just got lucky and got a pitch up and out over the zone,"Swisher said. "They've been working with me on that situationall year. If I hit the ball deep enough I can get the runnerover to third. He just got a pitch out over the plate and I gotthe barrel of the bat on it."


Given a lead, Gaudin (11-11), who had not won since August 23,managed to keep the Rangers in check by yielding three runs insix innings. He walked two and struck out eight.


"I know felt positive towards the outing," Gaudin said. "I wasin control and made some good pitches when I needed to. Iattacked the zone and didn't fall behind too much."

For Gaudin, the 2007 campaign has been a tale of two seasons.

The 24-year-old righthander had posted an impressive 8-3 recordwith a 2.88 ERA in 18 starts prior to the All-Star break.However, the converted reliever faltered after the break, going2-8 with a 7.01 ERA in 12 starts.


"It was huge for him," Swisher said. "It was important for Chadto come out and have a great outing today. He pitched greatand our bullpen came in and finished it off."


Gaudin was chased in the seventh with a 4-1 lead aftersurrendering a single to Jarrod Saltalamacchia and a double toRamon Vazquez. Frank Catalanotto then lined a single to leftoff A's reliever Santiago Casilla and, after Ian Kinsler was hitby a pitch, Michael Young doubled to right to cut the deficitto 6-5.


Ruddy Lugo threw two scoreless innings and closer Huston Streetworked a perfect ninth for his 15th save in 19 chances.

"Ruddy came in and did a great job," Gaudin said. "He went outthere and shut them down. He was big in that situation."

Millwood, who was looking to notch his second consecutive 10-winseason, allowed six runs and eight hits in just 4 2/3 inningswhile pitching on three days' rest.


"I just didn't throw good pitches," Millwood said. "I wasleaving the ball up a lot. I thought my stuff was good, I justdidn't put it in right spots."


Young singled in the third to extend his hitting streak to ateam- and season-high 13 games for Texas, which has lost threestraight after a season-high six-game winning streak.

"They just jumped on him early," Rangers manager Ron Washingtonsaid. "They got him in the first, got him in the third, got himin the fifth. They worked him good and got his pitch countup."


Jack Cust drove in two runs for the Athletics.