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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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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.
| | 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.
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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
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