A's Three-Game Win Streak Snapped By Cleveland
OAKLAND (CBS / AP) -- Jack Hannahan remains respectful when he talks about his former team. That won't stop him from taking some satisfaction in a job well done.
Hannahan drove in three runs against his former team and Shin-Soo Choo added two hits and an RBI, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 4-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night.
"It's always good to come back and see some old faces, good fans and old teammates," Hannahan said. "It's good to get on the road and go out and play baseball, believe in ourselves and continue to put together good, consistent at bats."
Ubaldo Jimenez (2-0) gave up two runs and six hits over six innings as the Indians won for the sixth time in seven games, all on the road. He walked five but proved more effective in tight situations.
"Ubaldo battled," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "He lacked command of his breaking pitch but he went to his fastball and made some good pitches."
Chris Perez pitched the ninth for his fifth save in six chances.
Yoenis Cespedes had three hits and drove in two runs for the A's, who saw their three-game winning streak end. Josh Reddick had two hits, including a home run.
A's starter Graham Godfrey (0-3) lasted five innings, allowing four runs and three hits. He walked five batters and hit two. He struck out three.
"That's uncharacteristic for me," Godfrey said. "I'm a control guy. That might be the most I've ever walked in a game."
Travis Hafner singled, walked three times and was hit by a pitch as the teams combined for 16 walks, and each team left 11 runners on base. Jason Donald was the lone Indian not to reach base.
"When people get on base I'm not trying to do too much like I used to do," Hannahan said. "I'm just looking for something to hit. I swung the bat pretty well the second half last year and I've been able to take that into the offseason and into this year."
The Indians have won six of the last eight meetings with Oakland.
Jemile Weeks had two hits for the A's, including the team's first triple of the season.
Godfrey, on a four-game losing streak dating to last season, took a no-hitter into the fourth inning, though he allowed a run in the second on three walks and Hannahan's sacrifice fly.
"He got behind some guys, which he has done in the past but he usually recovers," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "It was a struggle tonight. It didn't get out of hand but it wasn't his best effort."
Hannahan hit a two-run double in the fourth that made it 3-1.
"It's good to see him do that," Acta said. "We've always felt
he was a better hitter than what he showed in the minor leagues the last couple of years. As long as he doesn't try to do too much and continues to spread the ball around he's going to be OK."
Reddick had tied it for the A's in the third with a two-out solo home run.
Jason Kipnis was hit by a pitch with one out in the fifth, stole second and scored when Choo singled sharply into right field to give the Indians a 4-1 lead.
NOTES: RHP Rich Thompson reported to the A's after being claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels and will wear No. 54. ... RHP Neil Wagner was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for Thompson. ... Indians OF Grady Sizemore (herniated disc) is expected to begin baseball-related activity next week. ... That the Indians lead the AL in walks is no accident. "It's part of getting quality at-bats," Acta said. "The last few years we've had the most strikeouts in franchise history. We needed a different mindset. Now we're doing a good job of keeping traffic on base." ... 1B Casey Kotchman's defense "has saved a few runs for us already and that doesn't go unnoticed," Acta said. ... The A's 1972 World Series championship team will be honored before Saturday's game. ... The A's send RHP Brandon McCarthy (0-2, 3.60) to the mound against the Indians on Saturday night. He is 6-3 with a 4.61 ERA in 16 games, eight starts, against the Indians. Over the past two years McCarthy is 8-0 in 10 starts with run support of four runs or more and 1-11 with run support of under four runs. ... RHP Jeanmar Gomez (0-0, 2.25) starts for the Indians. He has retired 12 of the 13 batters he's faced this year. He faces a suspension for hitting Mike Moustakas of the Royals last Saturday. Gomez is 1-0 with an 0.79 ERA in two games (11 innings) against the A's.
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