Zito Setting the Pace for Surging Athletics

Barry Zito pitched a four-hitter and struck out 10 to help the surging Oakland Athletics defeat the Texas Rangers, 7-1, Monday night at Oakland for their eighth consecutive victory.

With a four-run first inning and another overwhelming start by Zito, the A’s cruised to their 14th victory in 15 games. After sweeping Baltimore and Tampa Bay last week, they’ve taken all the drama out of the American League wild-card race.

The A’s are 11 games ahead of Minnesota for the final playoff berth. Oakland (87-57) moved a half-game ahead of the New York Yankees (86-57) for the majors’ second-best record.

Zito, the American League pitcher of the month for August, has been nearly unbeatable in his last nine starts, and the Rangers never came close to solving him. It was his third complete game this season.

The former Pierce College and USC left-hander retired the first 10 hitters before Gabe Kapler’s fourth-inning single, and he took a two-hit shutout into the ninth before Mike Young homered. His high-arching curveball mystified the Rangers as he improved to 7-1 with a 0.83 earned-run average and 61 strikeouts since July 29.

Chicago 7, Cleveland 1--Rookie Dan Wright pitched seven strong innings and the White Sox salvaged a disappointing year by winning their season series against the American League Central-leading Indians at Cleveland.

Chicago won the season series, 10-9. Last year, the White Sox went 8-5 against Cleveland.

Wright (4-2) gave up one run--a homer by Jim Thome--and six hits. He walked three, struck out one and was helped by two double plays.

Jeff Liefer homered in the third inning for Chicago, and pinch-hitter Tony Graffanino had a two-run single in the eighth to make the score 5-1.

Thome hit his American League-leading 47th homer for the Indians, whose division lead slipped to six games over second-place Minnesota.

Minnesota 3, Detroit 2--Torii Hunter tripled and scored the winning run on Matt LeCroy’s sacrifice fly in the ninth at Detroit.

Minnesota is 11-2 against the Tigers this season, including 5-2 at Comerica Park.

Boston at New York ppd., rain--Roger Clemens (19-1), scheduled to start for the Yankees, was denied a chance to earn his 20th victory against his former team.