A’s Harden Continues to Pitch Like a Veteran

Rich Harden doesn’t pitch like a rookie, or act like one.

He won again, pitching six strong innings as the Oakland Athletics beat the Detroit Tigers, 7-2, Tuesday night at Detroit.

Harden (3-0) gave up two runs and five hits in six innings. He struck out six and walked two to give the A’s their ninth win in 12 games.

The 21-year-old right-hander has given up only four runs over 27 innings with 22 strikeouts in four starts since Oakland purchased his contract from triple-A Sacramento on July 17.

“I’m really not that surprised,” Harden said. “I’m not expecting to get lit up. I’ve always been competitive, at every level.”

Harden retired all 39 batters he faced at double-A Midland to start the year. Then the Victoria, Canada, native was promoted to triple-A Sacramento, where he was 9-4.

“That’s four excellent starts,” Oakland Manager Ken Macha said. “It’s been a big boost for us. He came in as an unknown quantity and he’s pitched tremendous.”

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Chicago 5, Kansas City 4 -- Frank Thomas hit a two-run homer and Esteban Loaiza went six solid innings for the White Sox at Chicago.

The White Sox ended a three-game losing skid and climbed within two games of the AL Central-leading Royals.

The two teams wrap up the series today and don’t play each other again until late September, when they will meet in seven of the final 10 regular-season games.

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Seattle 2, Cleveland 1 -- Jamie Moyer became the AL’s third 15-game winner with seven innings of solid pitching at Cleveland.

Moyer (15-5) gave up one run and three hits to tie Oakland’s Mark Mulder and Toronto’s Roy Halladay for the league lead in victories.

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New York 6, Texas 2 -- Derek Jeter homered in each of the first two innings and Hideki Matsui and Jason Giambi also hit home runs at New York. Roger Clemens (11-7) earned his 304th victory, giving up one run and five hits in seven innings. He struck out four and walked two.

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Tampa Bay 5, Toronto 4 -- Travis Lee homered and singled in the winning run with two out in the 10th inning at St. Petersburg, Fla.

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Baltimore 3, Minnesota 2 -- Jason Johnson and four relievers combined on a six-hitter at Baltimore.