Document text
--> --> Rangers take out A's with stiff pitching OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Doug Davis felt right at home pitching against the Oakland Athletics. Davis, who grew up in nearby Walnut Creek, a 20-minute drive from the Coliseum, scattered seven hits over seven innings to help lead the Texas Rangers to a 2-1 victory on Friday night. He also won at Oakland on April 13. "My family was here, and I was glad they got to see this," said Davis, who is 2-0 with a 1.32 ERA against the A's this year. "My adrenaline is pumping here a little more. I can hear some cheers and that's something else that helps me." Frank Catalanotto and Ivan Rodriguez each had two hits and drove in a run as the Rangers won their fourth straight in Oakland. Texas has won six of eight from the A's this season - its best record against any team. Davis (3-5), who stopped a career-high four-game losing streak, struck out a season-high six and walked one in winning for the first time since April 18 at Seattle, a span of 10 starts. Jeff Zimmerman pitched a perfect ninth for his eighth save in 10 opportunities. "We all thought the way Davis dominated Triple-A, he would be a good major league pitcher," Texas manager Jerry Narron said. "The way he pitched tonight was a huge step for him." A's starter Tim Hudson (7-5) lost his second straight start following a five-game winning streak. Hudson gave up two runs on four hits, tied his career high with 11 strikeouts and didn't walk a batter. "He dominated tonight and got nothing for it," Oakland manager Art Howe said. "He can't pitch much better than that. They put three hits together with two outs and that's all they sniffed tonight. It was enough for them." Frank Menechino had three hits for the A's, who suffered their major league-leading 15th one-run loss. Davis has pitched effectively his last four outings. He's allowed just seven earned runs in his last 27 innings for a 2.33 ERA, and given up one home run in his last 47 innings. "Since coming back from Triple-A (on May 31) he's been outstanding," Narron said. "I'm glad to see him continue to progress." Oakland scored its only run when Johnny Damon led off with a single and came home on Menechino's triple down the right-field line. Davis did not allow another runner past second. "We had opportunities, we just stunk with runners on base," Damon said. "We couldn't get the job done." With two outs in the third, Michael Young singled and scored on Catalanotto's double into the gap in right-center. Rodriguez followed with an RBI single. Texas got out of a jam in the eighth. Oakland had runners on second and third with one out, but Terrence Long hit a comebacker to Mike Venafro, who ran down Jason Giambi off third base for an out. Then Francisco Cordero, activated from the 15-day disabled list before the game, struck out Miguel Tejada. Notes: Hudson's complete game was his first of the season, and the fourth of his career. ... Texas C Bill Haselman was activated from the 60-day DL before the game. ... Davis was the 29th left-handed starter the A's have faced this season, tops in the majors. The A's are 11-18 against left-handers. ... Damon, who recorded his season-high fourth straight multihit game, has led off with a single and scored in each of the last four games. ... The A's grounded into their AL-leading 66th double play. ... Rangers C Marcus Jensen cleared waivers and was outrighted to Oklahoma of the PCL. ... Texas RHP Ryan Glynn pitched five shutout innings against Edmonton in a rehab start for Oklahoma on Friday night. He allowed three hits, walked one and struck out four. He threw 70 pitches. ... Cordero's glove, which had two different colors, a violation of the rules, was confiscated by the umpires when he entered in the eighth. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing