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August 22, 2002
CLEVELAND -- Cory Lidle has become a one-hit wonder.
The former Rays starter pitched his second one-hitter in just more than a month, allowing only a first-inning single Wednesday night as the scorching Oakland Athletics won their eighth straight, 6-0 over the Indians.
Lidle, who has pitched 31 consecutive scoreless innings, gave up a two-out single in the first to Ellis Burks. After walking Jim Thome, the right-hander didn't allow another runner.
"I don't know if words can describe how well he pitched," A's manager Art Howe said. "He changed speeds, he threw everything for strikes. Just a clinic on how to pitch."
Lidle wasn't quite as impressed.
"I guess without the two guys getting on in the first, it was a pretty good game," deadpanned Lidle, who was acquired by Oakland before last season in the three-way deal that sent Ben Grieve to Tampa Bay.
Lidle, who was nearly traded before last month's deadline, matched a career high with eight strikeouts and got his second career one-hitter and shutout. He also blanked Texas on July 19.
After his walk to Thome, Lidle retired 25 straight, 14 on grounders. He has not allowed a run in four August starts and has been on the mound in each of Oakland's past five shutouts.
"You can't expect a guy to put zeros on the board all year," Howe said. "But that's what he's done."
Terrence Long hit a three-run homer for Oakland, which remained in a virtual tie for first place in the West, two percentage points behind Anaheim.
David Justice added a three-run triple in the sixth off Ricardo Rodriguez, who made his major-league debut.
The A's, who had two other eight-game winning streaks this season, have won 14 of 17.
ANGELS 5, YANKEES 1 (11): Scott Spiezio hit a two-run homer in the 11th as visiting Anaheim matched last season's victory total and remained in first place in the West.
The Angels (75-50) haven't made the postseason since 1986. They have won eight of 10 and have the best record after 125 games in franchise history.
Yankees starter Orlando Hernandez got a no-decision for the fourth straight start. He allowed Orlando Palmeiro's run-scoring single in the third, which tied it at 1.
MARINERS 8, TIGERS 2: Ismael Valdes was impressive in his Seattle debut, and the visiting Mariners broke open a close game with five runs in the ninth.
Valdes, acquired in a trade with Texas on Sunday for two minor-leaguers, allowed two runs and five hits in 62/3 innings. He struck out three and walked one.
RED SOX 5, RANGERS 3: Nomar Garciaparra had four hits, including a tiebreaking two-run single in the eighth, as host Boston snapped Texas' five-game winning streak.
The Red Sox, who have won twice in their past six games, remained 31/2 games back in the wild-card chase.
WHITE SOX 10, TWINS 1: Jose Valentin homered in his first two at-bats and drove in five as host Chicago roughed up Joe Mays to snap a six-game losing streak.
ROYALS 7, BLUE JAYS 4: Carlos Beltran hit a three-run homer as Kansas City completed its first winning road trip of the season. Kansas City, 20-46 on the road, went 4-2 on the trip to Tampa Bay and Toronto.