Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) – Trevor Cahill pitched Oakland’s 17th straight quality start, and the Athletics shut down the Indians in a 6-1 win at Progressive Field.
Cahill (14-5) continued his sensational season by pitching seven innings, allowing seven hits — tying a season-high — and one unearned run with two walks and two strikeouts. In his last six starts, Cahill has a 5-1 record and a 0.77 earned run average.
Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a three-run double to punctuate a five-run first, as the A’s won for the sixth time in eight games.
Asdrubal Cabrera drove in the lone run for the Indians, who have lost five straight. Mitch Talbot (8-11) extended his winless skid to eight starts, allowing six runs, six hits and three walks in six innings.
Oakland took command of the game quickly, battering Talbot for five runs in the opening inning.
Coco Crisp grounded out leading off, but the next six batters reached base. Daric Barton walked, and Kurt Suzuki was hit by a pitch. Jack Cust followed with a single to plate Barton, and Mark Ellis drew a free pass to load the bases.
Rajai Davis’ RBI single made it 2-0 and kept the bases loaded for Kouzmanoff, who scored all three runners with a double off the top of the wall in center.
The Indians finally got on the board on Cabrera’s RBI single in the fifth, but Gabe Gross answered for Oakland in the sixth with a sacrifice fly.
Cleveland never threatened the rest of the way.
The 16 straight quality starts is the most by the franchise since the Philadelphia A’s recorded 18 straight in 1927…A’s starters have thrown six or more innings in 23 straight games…Oakland has not allowed more than five runs in 23 straight games, the longest streak in the AL since 1989…The A’s lead the season series, 6-2…Shin-Soo Choo went 3-for-3 with a walk for the Indians.