MLB
Scores/Schedules Standings
Statistics
Transactions
Injuries
Players
Message board
Weekly lineup

  Wednesday, Apr. 12 3:35pm ET
Wright tosses five-hitter at A's
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME LOG

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Jaret Wright has gotten aggressive, a contrast to the pitcher who struggled last season.

Wright pitched a five-hitter for the second complete game of his career as the Cleveland Indians beat the Oakland Athletics 5-0 Wednesday for a three-game sweep.

Jaret Wright
Indians right-hander Jaret Wright tossed the second complete game of his career.

"His fastball was back. He was aggressive, like he normally was," Oakland's Jason Giambi said. "Last year, for whatever reason, he wasn't as aggressive. Today he threw strike one, strike two and got ahead in the count."

Jim Thome hit a two-run double and Manny Ramirez added two hits, including a double, as the Indians swept the A's for the first time since July 21-23, 1995. Cleveland has won 15 of its last 17 games against Oakland.

Wright (2-0) struck out six and walked one. His other complete game was a three-hit, 2-0 win over Detroit on June 1, 1998.

"I felt good in the bullpen. I had a good fastball and curve and tried to carry it over into the game," said Wright, 5-1 against Oakland in seven career starts. "I couldn't overlook one hitter. You can't lose your focus."

He did not allow a runner past first and faced just 31 batters, four over the minimum.

"I was staying with the fastball," he said. "I kept the ball down and went up for effect. The complete game is satisfying. You can feel good for a night or two, then prepare for your next start."

Thome fouled off six two-strike pitches in the seventh before his broken-bat double off Gil Heredia (0-1). Richie Sexson chased Heredia with an RBI single.

Cleveland scored its first run in the fifth on a double play that included an error plus a putout at second base by the center fielder. Thome and David Justice walked around an out, and Travis Fryman grounded to Jorge Velandia.

The second baseman tried to tag Justice, who ran back toward first, and Velandia's throw to first pulled Jason Giambi off the bag, allowing Fryman to reach.

With Justice caught between first and second, he got into a rundown that wound up with Tejada tagging Justice 10 feet from first. Fryman saw second base was unprotected and took off. Center fielder Rich Becker alertly reached the bag in plenty of time to take a throw and complete a 3-6-8 double play.

Heredia allowed four runs -- three runs -- and six hits in six innings.

Roberto Alomar homered off Jason Isringhausen in ninth. Ben Grieve and Jason Giambi each had two hits for Oakland.

Game notes
Sexson has made the only Cleveland error this season. "Everyone loves to play defense and they work at it," Indians manager Charlie Manuel said. "They have pride in their defense." ... A's 3B Eric Chavez batted second for the first time in his career. ... Grieve is a .238 career hitter in April (48-for-202), .287 for the rest of the season. ... The Indians signed RHP Chad Ogea to a minor league contract.

 


ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard

Cleveland Clubhouse

Oakland Clubhouse


RECAPS
NY Yankees 8
Texas 6

Cleveland 5
Oakland 0

Boston 7
Minnesota 3

Seattle 4
Detroit 0

Chi. White Sox 7
Tampa Bay 1

Kansas City 7
Baltimore 6

Toronto 6
Anaheim 2

Chicago Cubs 11
Atlanta 4

Colorado 7
Cincinnati 5

Florida 11
Milwaukee 4

Philadelphia 8
NY Mets 5

Pittsburgh 6
Montreal 4

Houston 7
St. Louis 5

San Diego 4
Arizona 2

Los Angeles 3
San Francisco 2