GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: OAKLAND (39-35) at CLEVELAND (43-31)

AL: OAKLAND at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">AL AT CLEVELAND - SCORING UPDATE
DOUBLE BY JASON MICHAELS SCORED JHONNY PERALTA.
SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, J MICHAELS ON SECOND, R GARKO ON THIRD, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: OAKLAND 2
CLEVELAND 5 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR CLEVELAND: F GUTIERREZ (.275, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: OAKLAND at CLEVELAND

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

CURRENT PITCHERS: OAK - ALAN EMBREE
CLE - C.C. SABATHIA

DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: E CHAVEZ (.240, 0-FOR-3)
J CUST (.269, 1-FOR-3)
B CROSBY (.239, 1-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: OAKLAND at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">OAKLAND (2) VS CLEVELAND (5) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS

OAKLAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
S Stewart lf 4 0 2 0 0 1 2 .277
M Scutaro 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .234
N Swisher rf 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .283
E Chavez 3b 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 .240
J Cust dh 3 1 1 0 0 2 0 .269
B Crosby ss 3 1 1 0 0 1 0 .239
D Johnson 1b 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 .245
M Kotsay cf 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .247
J Kendall c 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .213

Totals 30 2 8 2 0 6 9

BATTING: 2B - B Crosby (14, C Sabathia). RBI - D Johnson (26), M Kotsay (8).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - N Swisher 2. GIDP - M Scutaro 2, M
Kotsay. Team LOB - 4.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (M Scutaro-B Crosby-D Johnson).


CLEVELAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
G Sizemore cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .278
C Blake 3b 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .274
V Martinez c 4 1 1 0 0 1 2 .313
T Hafner dh 4 2 2 1 0 0 1 .259
J Peralta ss 3 2 1 1 1 0 0 .281
R Garko 1b 2 0 1 2 2 0 0 .293
T Nixon rf 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 .244
a-J Michaels ph 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .299
F Gutierrez lf 4 0 0 0 0 3 6 .269
J Barfield 2b 4 0 1 0 0 1 2 .263

Totals 32 5 9 5 4 7 12

a-doubled to deep right center for T Nixon in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - R Garko (8, C Gaudin); J Barfield (12, C Gaudin); V Martinez (15,
A Embree); J Michaels (6, A Embree). HR - T Hafner (11, 2nd inning off C Gaudin
0 on, 0 Out). RBI - T Hafner (47), R Garko 2 (29), J Peralta (43), J Michaels
(22). 2-out RBI - R Garko 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - V
Martinez 1, J Barfield 2, F Gutierrez 2. GIDP - V Martinez. Team LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: SB - J Peralta (3, 2nd base off A Embree/J Kendall).

FIELDING: E - J Barfield (10, ground ball). DP: 3 (J Barfield-J Peralta-R
Garko, J Peralta-J Barfield-R Garko, C Blake-J Barfield-R Garko).


----------------------------------------------------
OAKLAND - 020 000 00 -- 2
CLEVELAND - 010 200 02 -- 5
----------------------------------------------------

OAKLAND ip h r er bb so hr era
C Gaudin 6 6 3 3 3 4 1 3.14
R Harden 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 1.29
A Embree 1 3 2 2 1 1 0 3.06

CLEVELAND ip h r er bb so hr era
C Sabathia 8 8 2 2 0 6 0 3.26

IBB - T Nixon (by C Gaudin), R Garko (by A Embree). Pitches-strikes: C Gaudin
95-57; R Harden 16-11; A Embree 22-13; C Sabathia 92-64. Ground balls-fly
balls: C Gaudin 11-3; R Harden 0-1; A Embree 1-1; C Sabathia 14-5. Batters
faced: C Gaudin 26; R Harden 3; A Embree 7; C Sabathia 30.

UMPIRES: HP--Mike Everitt. 1B--Paul Nauert. 2B--Gerry Davis. 3B--Brian
Gorman.

Weather: 80 degrees, clear. Wind: 9 mph, in from center.</div>

 

AL: OAKLAND at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">AL AT CLEVELAND - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Michaels in left field.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: OAKLAND 2
CLEVELAND 5 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: E Chavez (.240, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: OAKLAND at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">AL AT CLEVELAND - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: F Gutierrez in right field.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: OAKLAND 2
CLEVELAND 5 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: E Chavez (.240, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: OAKLAND at CLEVELAND

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

BATTERIES: OAK - CHAD GAUDIN, RICH HARDEN (7TH), ALAN EMBREE (8TH) AND JASON
KENDALL

CLE - C.C. SABATHIA AND VICTOR MARTINEZ

HOME RUNS: OAK - NONE

CLE - TRAVIS HAFNER (11) OFF CHAD GAUDIN IN THE 2ND, 0 ON</div>

 

AL: OAKLAND at CLEVELAND

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

BATTERIES: OAK - CHAD GAUDIN, RICH HARDEN (7TH), ALAN EMBREE (8TH) AND JASON
KENDALL

CLE - C.C. SABATHIA AND VICTOR MARTINEZ


WP - C.C. SABATHIA (11-2)
LP - CHAD GAUDIN (6-3)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: OAK - NONE

CLE - TRAVIS HAFNER (11) OFF CHAD GAUDIN IN THE 2ND, 0 ON


TIME: 2:23 ATT: 17,737

PROBABLES: OAK - DAN HAREN (9-2, 1.78)
CLE - CLIFF LEE (4-4, 5.46)</div>

 

AL: OAKLAND at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">OAKLAND (2) VS CLEVELAND (5) - FINAL

OAKLAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
S Stewart lf 4 0 2 0 0 1 2 .277
M Scutaro 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .234
N Swisher rf 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .283
E Chavez 3b 4 0 0 0 0 3 1 .239
J Cust dh 3 1 1 0 0 2 0 .269
B Crosby ss 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 .238
D Johnson 1b 4 0 2 1 0 0 0 .249
M Kotsay cf 4 0 1 1 0 1 3 .244
J Kendall c 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .213

Totals 34 2 9 2 0 8 12

BATTING: 2B - B Crosby (14, C Sabathia); D Johnson (12, C Sabathia). RBI - D
Johnson (26), M Kotsay (8). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Kotsay
2, N Swisher 2. GIDP - M Scutaro 2, M Kotsay. Team LOB - 6.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (M Scutaro-B Crosby-D Johnson).


CLEVELAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
G Sizemore cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .278
C Blake 3b 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .274
V Martinez c 4 1 1 0 0 1 2 .313
T Hafner dh 4 2 2 1 0 0 1 .259
J Peralta ss 3 2 1 1 1 0 0 .281
R Garko 1b 2 0 1 2 2 0 0 .293
T Nixon rf 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 .244
a-J Michaels ph-lf 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .299
F Gutierrez lf-rf 4 0 0 0 0 3 6 .269
J Barfield 2b 4 0 1 0 0 1 2 .263

Totals 32 5 9 5 4 7 12

a-doubled to deep right center for T Nixon in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - R Garko (8, C Gaudin); J Barfield (12, C Gaudin); V Martinez (15,
A Embree); J Michaels (6, A Embree). HR - T Hafner (11, 2nd inning off C Gaudin
0 on, 0 Out). RBI - T Hafner (47), R Garko 2 (29), J Peralta (43), J Michaels
(22). 2-out RBI - R Garko 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - V
Martinez 1, J Barfield 2, F Gutierrez 2. GIDP - V Martinez. Team LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: SB - J Peralta (3, 2nd base off A Embree/J Kendall).

FIELDING: E - J Barfield (10, ground ball). DP: 3 (J Barfield-J Peralta-R
Garko, J Peralta-J Barfield-R Garko, C Blake-J Barfield-R Garko).


----------------------------------------------------
OAKLAND - 020 000 000 -- 2
CLEVELAND - 010 200 02x -- 5
----------------------------------------------------

OAKLAND ip h r er bb so hr era
C Gaudin (L, 6-3) 6 6 3 3 3 4 1 3.14
R Harden 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 1.29
A Embree 1 3 2 2 1 1 0 3.06

CLEVELAND ip h r er bb so hr era
C Sabathia (W, 11-2) 9 9 2 2 0 8 0 3.24

IBB - T Nixon (by C Gaudin), R Garko (by A Embree). HBP - J Cust (by C
Sabathia). Pitches-strikes: C Gaudin 95-57; R Harden 16-11; A Embree 22-13; C
Sabathia 111-76. Ground balls-fly balls: C Gaudin 11-3; R Harden 0-1; A Embree
1-1; C Sabathia 15-5. Batters faced: C Gaudin 26; R Harden 3; A Embree 7; C
Sabathia 35.

UMPIRES: HP--Mike Everitt. 1B--Paul Nauert. 2B--Gerry Davis. 3B--Brian
Gorman.

T--2:23. Att--17,737.
Weather: 80 degrees, clear. Wind: 9 mph, in from
center.</div>

 

AL: OAKLAND at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
OAKLAND 2
CLEVELAND 5 FINAL</div>

 

Sabathia gets rare win over Athletics

<h3>CLEVELAND 5, OAKLAND 2</h3>CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- C.C. Sabathia picked up a win against hisnemesis in style.

Sabathia pitched his second complete game of the season to leadthe Cleveland Indians to a 5-2 victory over the OaklandAthletics on Monday.

Sabathia (11-2), who improved to 8-1 at home, became the second11-game winner in the majors, joining Boston's Josh Beckett.Sabathia retired 20 of the last 24 batters he faced and gave uptwo runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts.

It was the first win for Sabathia against the A's since July 30,2003 as the burly lefthander has struggled in his careeragainst Oakland. Even with Monday's win, Sabathia is only 2-6in 12 career starts against the A's, his worst record againstany American League opponent.

The A's looked like they would have their way against Sabathiaearly as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning. ButSabathia would settle down as he retired the next 13 batters ina row before allowing a Dan Johnson single in the seventh.

Sabathia induced Mark Kotsay into a double-play grounder to endthe seventh and the Cleveland offense gave its ace somebreathing room with a two-run eighth to break open a close game.

Leading 3-2, Jhonny Peralta had an RBI single scoring VictorMartinez, who led off the inning with a double down theright-field line. Jason Michaels followed an intentional walk toRyan Garko with an RBI double to right-center.

Garko, who is batting .174 in the month of June, gave theIndians a 3-2 lead in the fourth with a two-out, two-run double.With two outs, Hafner started the Indians rally with a single.Oakland starter Chad Gaudin walked Peralta setting up Garko'sdouble to center.

Travis Hafner brought the Indians within 2-1 in the fourth witha solo shot to right field off of Gaudin.

It was the first home run for Hafner since May 31 againstDetroit, a span of 68 at-bats. The Indians designated hitterentered Monday's game with only two extra-base hits in the monthof June and had two hits in his last 20 at-bats.

Gaudin (6-3) picked up his second loss in a row after allowingthree runs and six hits in six innings while striking out four.

Rich Harden relieved Gaudin as he continues to try and build uparm strength after missing nearly two months with a strainedright shoulder. Harden struck out two in the seventh.

Johnson and Kotsay each had an RBI for the A's, who have droppedfour straight.

 

AL: OAKLAND at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OAKLAND (2) AT CLEVELAND (5) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OAKLAND 2ND: J Cust singled to left. B Crosby doubled to left, J Cust to
third. D Johnson grounded out to first, J Cust scored, B Crosby to third.
M Kotsay singled to center, B Crosby scored. J Kendall grounded into fielder's
choice to second, M Kotsay safe at second on error by second baseman
J Barfield. S Stewart struck out swinging. M Scutaro reached on infield single
to third, M Kotsay to third, J Kendall to second. N Swisher flied out to left.
(2 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error) OAKLAND 2, CLEVELAND 0.

CLEVELAND 2ND: T Hafner homered to right. J Peralta grounded out to
shortstop. R Garko grounded out to shortstop. T Nixon grounded out to second.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 2, CLEVELAND 1.

CLEVELAND 4TH: C Blake grounded out to shortstop. V Martinez grounded out
to second. T Hafner singled to center. J Peralta walked, T Hafner to second.
R Garko doubled to deep center, T Hafner and J Peralta scored. T Nixon
intentionally walked. F Gutierrez grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop,
T Nixon out at second. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 2, CLEVELAND 3.

CLEVELAND 8TH: A Embree relieved R Harden. V Martinez doubled to deep
right. T Hafner flied out to center. J Peralta singled to center, V Martinez
scored. J Peralta stole second. R Garko intentionally walked. J Michaels hit
for T Nixon. J Michaels doubled to deep right center, J Peralta scored, R Garko
to third. F Gutierrez struck out swinging. J Barfield grounded out to
shortstop. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 2, CLEVELAND 5.</div>

 

AL: OAKLAND at CLEVELAND

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OAKLAND (2) AT CLEVELAND (5) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oakland Starting Lineups -- S Stewart LF, M Scutaro 2B, N Swisher RF, E Chavez 3B,
J Cust DH, B Crosby SS, D Johnson 1B, M Kotsay CF, J Kendall C, C Gaudin RHP.

Cleveland Starting Lineups -- G Sizemore CF, C Blake 3B, V Martinez C, T Hafner DH,
J Peralta SS, R Garko 1B, T Nixon RF, F Gutierrez LF, J Barfield 2B, C Sabathia LHP.

Umpires -- Mike Everitt (HP), Paul Nauert (1B), Gerry Davis (2B), Brian Gorman (3B).

Gametime Weather: 80 degrees, Clear, wind in from center at 9 mph.


OAKLAND 1ST: S Stewart singled to right. M Scutaro grounded into double
play, second to shortstop to first, S Stewart out at second. N Swisher reached
on infield single to shortstop. E Chavez flied out to right. (0 Runs, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, CLEVELAND 0.

CLEVELAND 1ST: G Sizemore flied out to center. C Blake singled to left.
V Martinez grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, C Blake out
at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, CLEVELAND 0.

OAKLAND 2ND: J Cust singled to left. B Crosby doubled to left, J Cust to
third. D Johnson grounded out to first, J Cust scored, B Crosby to third.
M Kotsay singled to center, B Crosby scored. J Kendall grounded into fielder's
choice to second, M Kotsay safe at second on error by second baseman
J Barfield. S Stewart struck out swinging. M Scutaro reached on infield single
to third, M Kotsay to third, J Kendall to second. N Swisher flied out to left.
(2 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error) OAKLAND 2, CLEVELAND 0.

CLEVELAND 2ND: T Hafner homered to right. J Peralta grounded out to
shortstop. R Garko grounded out to shortstop. T Nixon grounded out to second.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 2, CLEVELAND 1.

OAKLAND 3RD: E Chavez struck out swinging. J Cust struck out swinging.
B Crosby struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 2, CLEVELAND 1.

CLEVELAND 3RD: F Gutierrez struck out swinging. J Barfield lined out to
shortstop. G Sizemore grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
OAKLAND 2, CLEVELAND 1.

OAKLAND 4TH: D Johnson flied out to left. M Kotsay grounded out to second.
J Kendall flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 2,
CLEVELAND 1.

CLEVELAND 4TH: C Blake grounded out to shortstop. V Martinez grounded out
to second. T Hafner singled to center. J Peralta walked, T Hafner to second.
R Garko doubled to deep center, T Hafner and J Peralta scored. T Nixon
intentionally walked. F Gutierrez grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop,
T Nixon out at second. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 2, CLEVELAND 3.

OAKLAND 5TH: S Stewart grounded out to second. M Scutaro grounded out to
third. N Swisher grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
OAKLAND 2, CLEVELAND 3.

CLEVELAND 5TH: J Barfield doubled to left. G Sizemore flied out to center,
J Barfield to third. C Blake struck out looking. V Martinez struck out
swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 2, CLEVELAND 3.

OAKLAND 6TH: E Chavez struck out swinging. J Cust struck out looking.
B Crosby grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 2,
CLEVELAND 3.

CLEVELAND 6TH: T Hafner grounded out to first. J Peralta grounded out to
second. R Garko walked. T Nixon singled to right center, R Garko to third.
F Gutierrez struck out looking. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 2, CLEVELAND 3.

OAKLAND 7TH: D Johnson singled to center. M Kotsay grounded into double
play, shortstop to second to first, D Johnson out at second. J Kendall popped
out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 2, CLEVELAND 3.

CLEVELAND 7TH: R Harden relieved C Gaudin. J Barfield struck out swinging.
G Sizemore struck out swinging. C Blake flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) OAKLAND 2, CLEVELAND 3.

OAKLAND 8TH: S Stewart singled to center. M Scutaro grounded into double
play, third to second to first, S Stewart out at second. N Swisher grounded out
to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 2, CLEVELAND 3.

CLEVELAND 8TH: A Embree relieved R Harden. V Martinez doubled to deep
right. T Hafner flied out to center. J Peralta singled to center, V Martinez
scored. J Peralta stole second. R Garko intentionally walked. J Michaels hit
for T Nixon. J Michaels doubled to deep right center, J Peralta scored, R Garko
to third. F Gutierrez struck out swinging. J Barfield grounded out to
shortstop. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 2, CLEVELAND 5.

OAKLAND 9TH: J Michaels in left field. F Gutierrez in right field. E Chavez
struck out swinging. J Cust hit by pitch. B Crosby grounded into fielder's
choice to third, J Cust out at second. D Johnson doubled to deep right,
B Crosby to third. M Kotsay struck out looking. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
OAKLAND 2, CLEVELAND 5.</div>

 

Sabathia gets rare win over Athletics

<h3>CLEVELAND 5, OAKLAND 2</h3>CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- C.C. Sabathia picked up a win against hisnemesis in style. Sabathia pitched his second complete game ofthe season to lead the Cleveland Indians to a 5-2 victory overthe Oakland Athletics on Monday.

Sabathia (11-2), who improved to 8-1 at home, became the second11-game winner in the majors, joining Boston 's Josh Beckett.Sabathia retired 20 of the last 24 batters he faced and gave uptwo runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts.

"It's too early to talk about my record right now," Sabathiasaid. "Maybe in October or November we can talk about what agreat year I had."

It was the first win for Sabathia, who grew up just outside ofthe Bay area, against the A's since July 30, 2003 as the burlylefthander has struggled in his career against Oakland.

Even with Monday's win, Sabathia is only 2-6 in 12 career startsagainst the A's, his worst record against any American Leagueopponent.

"They're a team that gives me trouble," Sabathia said. "It feelsgreat to get a win against them."

Sabathia also enjoyed the fact that he quieted his friends backhome

"I got so many text messages from my friends, and they're allA's fans, and that's what stinks, because they talk so muchtrash," he said. "They're like, 'you're a good pitcher but theA's are going to beat you tonight. That's the type of texts Iget from my friends. They'll be getting some texts tonight."

The A's looked like they would have their way against Sabathiaearly as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning. ButSabathia would settle down as he retired the next 13 batters ina row before allowing a Dan Johnson single in the seventh.

"Sabathia did a good job of gathering himself and got back ontrack," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "He really took controlof the game from there."

"He's throwing his breaking stuff more often, but as a hitteryou still have to be ready because he throws 95," A's catcherJason Kendall said. "When a guy throws that hard, you have tolook for his fastball."

Sabathia induced Mark Kotsay into a double-play grounder to endthe seventh and the Cleveland offense gave its ace somebreathing room with a two-run eighth to break open a close game.

Leading 3-2, Jhonny Peralta had an RBI single scoring VictorMartinez , who led off the inning with a double down theright-field line. Jason Michaels followed an intentional walk toRyan Garko with an RBI double to right-center.

Garko, who is batting .174 in the month of June, gave theIndians a 3-2 lead in the fourth with a two-out, two-run double.With two outs, Hafner started the Indians rally with a single.Oakland starter Chad Gaudin walked Peralta setting up Garko'sdouble to center.

"Garko got the big hit for us," Wedge said. "It was big for usto take the lead, especially with C.C. on the mound. It let(Sabathia) take it from there." Travis Hafner brought theIndians within 2-1 in the fourth with a solo shot to right fieldoff of Gaudin.

"Pronk hitting a home run got us excited," Sabathia said. "If hegets rolling it will be tough to beat us."

It was the first home run for Hafner since May 31 againstDetroit , a span of 68 at-bats. The Indians designated hitterentered Monday's game with only two extra-base hits in the monthof June and had two hits in his last 20 at-bats.

"It felt pretty good to get the team on the board," Hafner said."I've been working really hard. I feel the last week or so myswing has been getting better. Sooner or later the hard workwill pay off. Hopefully I can string some consistency together."

Gaudin (6-3) picked up his second loss in a row after allowingthree runs and six hits in six innings while striking out four.

"I made a couple of bad pitches and they took advantage ofthem," Gaudin said. Rich Harden relieved Gaudin as he continuesto try and build up arm strength after missing nearly two monthswith a strained right shoulder. Harden struck out two in theseventh.

However after the inning, Harden reported soreness in shoulder.

"He was a little achy after the first so we felt one inning wasenough," A's manager Bob Geren said. "Hopefully, it's nothingmajor. Obviously we'll know more tomorrow. I was liking what Isaw. He was throwing 95. He looked like the guy we saw earlierin the season. I saw nothing at all to indicate (there'ssomething major wrong)."

Johnson and Kotsay each had an RBI for the A's, who have droppedfour straight.