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Outman, Crosby lead Athletics over Rangers

Sep 13, 2008 - 11:56 PM By Al Barba PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Josh Outman notched his first major league win and Bobby Crosby hit a key three-run double as the Oakland Athletics routed the Texas Rangers, 7-1, on Saturday.

Outman (1-0), who was making his third career appearance and first start, surrendered just one run and four hits while walking two and striking out three in five innings.

"First major league start and you get a win, it doesn't get much better that," Outman said. "I commanded all four of my pitches, I threw breaking balls for strikes consistently and that is something I hadn't done my last time out in relief in Detroit. For me, that is the key to being successful."

The 23-year-old lefthander became the 12th different pitcher to start a game for the Athletics this season. Outman joined the Oakland organization in midseason after being part of the trade that sent Joe Blanton to the Philadelphia Phillies.

"I was very impressed with Outman today. He went through some of their big guys and showed incredible velocity," Athletics manager Bob Geren said. "He pitched both sides of the plate very well. It was a very, very fine outing."

After scoring its lone run in the second, Texas advanced just one runner into scoring position as Outman and relievers Huston Street, Jerry Blevins, Joey Devine and Brad Ziegler allowed just five hits and three walks over the final seven innings.

Scott Feldman (5-7), making his first appearance since August 30 and last scheduled start of the year, yielded six runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 frames.

"I had a couple of walks in there too, and fell behind a few guys and then obviously the big hit was that one that fell in the outfield with two outs," Feldman said. "I know I've got a lot of areas to improve in, but considering it was the first year I've thrown like this and first time starting since college, I hope I showed them that I've got potential in that respect and hopefully I'll do nothing but improve.

"I think I've done a pretty decent job of getting through six, but I think getting deeper into games and getting my changeup better are two things I need to improve on."

Oakland broke open a one-run game with five in the fifth inning. Aaron Cunningham's two-out, two-run single knocked Feldman out of the game, and Crosby's three-run double off reliever Luis Mendoza capped the outburst.

"I was just trying to put the ball in play and do something that might benefit the team," Cunningham said of his approach with two outs and the bases loaded. "At first I was trying to get a pitch that I could do something with and drive ... and then I had to battle to put a ball in play and make something happen."

Jack Cust erased a 1-0 deficit with a two-run homer in the fourth, putting Oakland ahead for good.

Texas scored its lone run in the second. Marlon Byrd singled with one out and stole second before coming home on a double by Nelson Cruz.

However, Hank Blalock - who followed Byrd's single with walk - was thrown out at the plate trying to score from first on Cruz's hit.

"We had some opportunities there," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "That one that Sweeney misread, I thought Hank would have a chance to score there and had a chance to score there. We would have had two runs with out and runner on third and might have been able to get a third run in."