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Freiman lifts A's in 18 innings to cap sweep of Yankees

Jun 14, 2013 - 4:34 AM Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Nate Freiman's single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 18th lifted the Oakland Athletics over the New York Yankees, 3-2.

Preston Claiborne (0-1), who pitched a scoreless 17th, stayed on to start the 18th inning for the Yankees. John Jaso hit a one-out single to right before Mariano Rivera came in from the bullpen. Seth Smith greeted him with a bloop single to left, Jed Lowrie was intentionally walked to fill the bags and Freiman's game-winning base hit to left extended Oakland's home winning streak to 11 games.

The A's swept this three-game series and have now won seven straight at home against New York.

Oakland, which beat the Angels in 19 innings on April 29, became the first American League team to play two 18-inning games in one season since the A's and Washington did so in 1971. Meanwhile, the Yankees played their first 18- inning game since 1988.

"It was very taxing even winning the game. To lose could have been demoralizing," A's manager Bob Melvin said.

Smith and Derek Norris had an RBI apiece in the third inning for the Athletics, who went 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12.

Jarrod Parker got the start for Oakland and gave up two runs on five hits over eight innings. Jesse Chavez (1-0) gave up one hit over 5 2/3 scoreless innings to pick up the win. The home team used seven pitchers in the 5-hour, 35-minute game.

Robinson Cano went 3-for-6 with a two-run homer for the Yankees, who went 1- for-13 with RISP and left 14 men on base. Mark Teixeira, Travis Hafner, Kevin Youkilis and Vernon Wells were a combined 0-for-28 with three walks and 12 strikeouts in the game.

New York starter Hiroki Kuroda allowed two runs on two hits over eight innings. The Yankees also used seven pitchers.

Cano's homer in the first inning gave the Yankees an early 2-0 lead. Brett Gardner led off with a double and scored on Cano's blast to center. It was New York's first homer in six games.

"We had two runs in the first, and that was it," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "We had a ton of opportunities and weren't able to cash in. It's frustrating, but you've got to turn the page."

The A's scored a pair of runs in the third to tie the game. Chris Young walked and Eric Sogard singled to get things started. A double steal put runners on second and third. Norris' RBI groundout made it a one-run contest. Sogard was caught stealing at third before Jaso walked. Smith followed with a double off the wall in right and Jaso beat the tag at the plate.

However, Kuroda settled down and retired the final 16 batters he faced. The Yankees' offense, though, failed to advance a runner past second for the remainder of Parker's time on the mound.

Oakland had a chance to break the tie in the ninth. David Robertson gave up bloop singles to Jaso and Lowrie, putting runners on the corners with one out. After Josh Donaldson struck out swinging, Lowrie advanced to second on a defensive indifference. The threat was halted when Brandon Moss struck out swinging.

New York left the bases loaded in the 11th and 14th frames. Hafner and Youkilis struck out to end the threat in the 11th, while Teixeira popped out to end the 14th.

Oakland had a runner thrown out at the plate in the 15th. With one out, Moss singled and Josh Reddick walked. Moss tried to score on pinch-hitter Coco Crisp's single to left, but Wells' throw home was perfect. Catcher Chris Stewart was able to hold onto the ball while Moss collided with him. Adam Rosales struck out looking to end the inning.

Game Notes

The A's went 5-1 against the Yankees this season ... The Athletics have their best stretch at home since winning 12 in a row there from Aug. 13-Sept. 14, 2002 ... Earlier on Thursday, New York announced that shortstop Derek Jeter has been medically cleared to resume full baseball activities and run on his surgically repaired left ankle.