A’s snap Indians’ streak with shutout

Associated Press

Cleveland

Gio Gonzalez pitched five-hit ball into the seventh inning and Mark Ellis drove in two runs with a bases-loaded double, leading the Oakland Athletics to a 3-0 win over the Cleveland Indians on Friday night.

The loss snapped Cleveland’s season-high five-game winning streak.

Oakland has won six of seven.

Gonzalez (7-5), who won for the first time since June 6, walked four and struck out five in 62/3 innings. The left-hander has beaten Cleveland twice this season, holding the Indians scoreless for 132/3 innings. He’s 3-0 in four starts against Cleveland since 2009.

Andrew Bailey pitched the ninth for his 16th save in 19 opportunities.

Mitch Talbot (8-7) allowed three runs — two earned — and five hits in 51/3 innings.

The Indians loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth on three singles, but were denied a run on a rare play.

Mike Redmond lined a single to right, but was thrown out by Ryan Sweeney, who was playing shallow.

Sweeney charged the ball quickly and his throw to first baseman Daric Barton got the slow-footed Redmond by a couple of steps. Jhonny Peralta crossed the plate before Redmond was thrown out, but the run didn’t count and the play was ruled a groundout to the right fielder.

The A’s scored in the first when Jack Cust walked with the bases loaded and took a 1-0 lead into the sixth. Singles by Kurt Suzuki and Ryan Sweeney and a walk to Cust loaded the bases. Ellis hit the first pitch to the gap in left-center, scoring two runs.

Talbot labored through the first, throwing 29 pitches. Shortstop Jason Donald’s fielding error allowed leadoff man Coco Crisp to reach base and Barton singled. After a strikeout and a fielder’s choice, Sweeney walked to load the bases. Cust walked on a 3-2 pitch.

Gonzalez walked two batters in both the second and third innings. The Indians didn’t get a hit until Jayson Nix’s infield single with two outs.

Barton, who wasn’t in the original lineup, had two hits. He left Thursday’s game with bruises on both legs sustained trying to break up a double play. Barton was added to the lineup a few minutes before game time.

Bailey’s save came in his 100th major league appearance.

LHP Dallas Braden was scratched from tonight’s start because of a sore elbow. RHP Clayton Mortensen will be called up from Triple-A Sacramento to make the start.

Manager Manny Acta used Carlos Santana at DH and started Redmond behind the plate. Santana, who entered the game batting .333, was 0 for 4 with two strikeouts.