• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Gaudin, Sweeney star as A's blank Twins

Apr 24, 2008 - 6:54 AM OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Chad Gaudin and a pair of relievers combined for a six-hit shutout and Mike Sweeney hit his first home run of the season to lead the Oakland Athletics to a 3-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday.

Gaudin (2-1) allowed four hits in seven innings while striking out four. Alan Embree came on and struck out two in a perfect eighth before Huston Street allowed two hits but no runs in the ninth and earned his sixth save.

Sweeney hit his first homer of the season, a line drive into the seats in left field, in the eighth to make it 3-0. He also had an RBI single in the third that gave the A's a 2-0 lead.

"It felt good," Sweeney said. "The best thing about tonight was the win."

Boof Bonser (1-4) allowed only two runs and three hits in six innings but took the loss for the Twins.

Gaudin retired 11 straight batters at one point and threw only 84 pitches, including 52 for strikes. He was set back in spring training due to offseason surgery on his hip and foot but appears to be back now and has won two straight starts.

"It was one of the best outings I've seen from him," Oakland manager Bob Geren said. "It reminded me of the first half he had last year. He's throwing at both sides of the plate with all his pitches. He didn't do that much last year."

Sweeney also figured in Oakland's first run, which came in the second inning. Sweeney led off the frame with a walk and advanced to third on Jack Cust's single to right. Emil Brown followed with a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Sweeney.

With his 2-for-3 performance Wednesday, Sweeney is hitting .335 against Minnesota for his career with 23 home runs and 104 RBI in 132 games.

"Sweeney seems to have some good swings against us," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We pitch him inside, we pitch him outside. He hits a bullet to right and he hits a home run. Sweeney's a good hitter and always has been a good hitter."

Jason Kubel had two hits for Minnesota, which had won five straight over Oakland and had its three-game winning streak snapped.