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Smith, Cust power Athletics past Orioles

Sep 7, 2008 - 3:07 AM BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- It's been a rough two-month stretch for Greg Smith. On Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles, the lanky lefthander got his last month of his rookie season off to a good start.

Smith tossed seven shutout innings and Jack Cust homered twice and drove in three runs as the Oakland Athletics dealt the Orioles their seventh loss in a row with a 5-1 triumph.

The game was supposed to be the nightcap in a doubleheader, but the first game was postponed indefinitely due to rain. The weather cleared up in time for the clubs to get one game in, but the Orioles' fortunes remained the same.

"I'm just happy that we got the game in with the poor weather this morning, and to come out of here with a win," Smith said. "It's a nice day for us."

Smith (7-14) allowed three hits in one of his best outings. He had control problems, walking five, but was consistently able to get out of trouble. Smith needed a performance like this one, as he came into the game having lost eight of his last nine decisions, winning just once since June 30.

"I'm just really happy with the way Greg Smith threw the ball tonight," Athletics manager Bob Geren said. "He's been working on a few things on the mound, he's changing his rubber position, trying to incorporate his breaking ball more in his game. Tonight is the best he's looked in a long time. It's good to see the improvement."

The lefty has clearly shown some ability at times throughout the year, but has been hampered by inconsistency. Saturday's win marked the fourth time that he has thrown six or more shutout innings.

"I felt really good," Smith said. "The five walks (don't) look good. I felt like I actually pitched, got ahead of some hitters and threw strikes."

Cust hit solo homers in consecutive innings and added a sacrifice fly, and Jack Hanrahan belted a solo shot to lead the charge for the Athletics.

"We've been struggling offensively as a team," said Cust, who set a career-high with his 27th homer. "Obviously hitting home runs is a lot easier than trying to manufacture them."

Baltimore righthander Daniel Cabrera (8-9) got through three innings, giving up five hits and two runs while walking six and striking out one.

"Way too many pitches. He threw 75 pitches in three innings," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "Tonight, I thought he was feeling for it somewhat. He just pitched behind. ... When you don't get good starting pitching, it looks like you're not playing with a whole lot of life. The innings have a tendency to drag, they drag on and on and on."

The Orioles finally got on the board in the fifth off Oakland reliever Huston Street, as designated hitter Lou Montanez tripled and scored on Nick Markakis' groundout.

Though the first game of the doubleheader was postponed and the A's and O's have a day off on Sunday, the game will not be made up this weekend due to the Baltimore Ravens' season-opener at nearby M&T Bank Stadium.