Cubs 0 - 1 Athletics
Final
  for this game

Straily, A's blank Cubs

Jul 5, 2013 - 1:33 AM Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Dan Straily spun seven shutout innings of one- hit ball as the Oakland Athletics slide past the Chicago Cubs, 1-0, in the rubber match of a three-game set.

After being recalled on Thursday for his fourth stint with the A's this year, Straily (5-2) might be here to stay this time. He extended his winning streak to a career-high four games while fanning six and walking three.

"After being called back up you want to go out there and do it every time," said Straily. "Quality starts every single time."

The lone run of the game came on a passed ball in the seventh inning.

Matt Guerrier (2-4) walked Derek Norris and allowed a Seth Smith single to right, both with two outs. Wellington Castillo allowed a curveball to get through his legs to bring in the only run of the game.

Grant Balfour made things interesting in the ninth on his way to his 21st save. He allowed the Cubs' second hit of the day with two outs and Nate Schierholtz reached first on shortstop Jed Lowrie's throwing error. Balfour got Alfonso Soriano to fly out to secure the victory.

Chicago starter Travis Wood had an impressive outing as well, scattering just three hits with five strikeouts in six scoreless innings. Wood has allowed three earned runs or less in all but one of his 17 starts this season.

"It was a shame, six shutout innings and three hits," said Cubs manager Dale Sveum about Wood's performance. "He pitched another great ball game."

The best opportunity for either team to score came in the fourth when the Cubs had Starlin Castro on second with one out. Soriano smacked a ball to left fielder Yoenis Cespedes who came up throwing and gunned down Castro at plate to keep the game scoreless.

Game Notes

The Cubs have lost Wood's last six starts ... Chicago went 1-for-2 with runners in scoring position, while Oakland finished 0-for-3 ... Oakland has won six of their last eight games ... The A's have clinched a winning record before the All-Star break for the first time since 2008 ... The Cubs have lost 12 of their last 15 games on Independence Day.






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