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Donaldson, A's complete sweep of Twins

Apr 11, 2014 - 12:49 AM Minneapolis, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - Josh Donaldson homered and drove in three runs to lead the Oakland Athletics to a 6-1 win and a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

Sam Fuld added a two-run home run and Yoenis Cespedes had two hits for Oakland, which has won four straight, including the first three on its current nine-game road trip.

Oakland starting pitcher Dan Straily (1-1) tossed seven strong innings, allowing one run on three hits to help the A's win their ninth straight against the Twins.

"It was kind of a weird outing," Straily said. "I definitely didn't have my best stuff, but was able to mix speeds, mix locations and just keep them off- balance and from making good contact."

Brian Dozier homered for the Twins, who mustered just three hits and have yet to win (0-3) on their current nine-game homestand.

"It's not the way it's supposed to be," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said of his club's struggles. "It's not like the guys aren't trying. It's just not working right now."

After the Twins took the early lead on Dozier's first-inning homer, the A's responded against Minnesota starter Mike Pelfrey by tying the game in the second inning when Daric Barton singled home a run.

Oakland then took the lead in the third on Donaldson's two-run homer and added to its cushion in the fourth on Fuld's two-run blast.

Pelfrey compounded issues by walking the batter before each homer.

Replay came into effect in the top of the sixth inning when Nick Punto was thrown out at home trying to score from second on a base hit by Jed Lowrie. The A's challenged, arguing that Minnesota catcher Josmil Pinto was blocking the baseline. However, after review the call was upheld.

Oakland, though, did get a run in the frame when Donaldson singled home Fuld for a 6-1 cushion. Lowrie also tried to score on the play, but was cut down.

Pelfrey (0-2) didn't get out of the sixth inning and suffered his second straight setback of the season. The right-hander was charged with six runs on nine hits, striking out three and walking four in five-plus innings of work.

Straily, meanwhile, was cruising after the first inning. He allowed two second-inning hits, but then held the Twins hitless over his final five innings, issuing just two walks over that span. He struck out five before giving way to relievers Ryan Cook and Fernando Abad to finish it out.

Game Notes

Oakland manager Bob Melvin announced before the game that Jim Johnson lost the closer job. Melvin will go with a closer-by-committee ... Dozier's HR was his third of the year ... Donaldson hit his first HR of the season ... This is the A's longest winning streak against the Twins since also capturing nine in a row Aug. 13, 1980 - April 22, 1981 ... Oakland finished with 13 hits.