Parker sharp as Crisp, Athletics sweep Indians

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Jarrod Parker didn't argue when Oakland manager Bob Melvin took him out of the game after eight scoreless innings.

Given the way he's pitched the past month, the rookie right-hander saw no point in it.

Parker and Ryan Cook combined on a seven-hit shutout, and the A's beat the Cleveland Indians 7-0 on Sunday for a three-game sweep.

"It's Bob's job and I trust in every decision that he makes," Parker said. "He has my future in mind and the best interests for the team, and in a 7-0 game, it's no reason to really push it."

Parker (8-7), possibly pitching to keep his spot in the rotation following three consecutive losses, gave up six hits, struck out two and walked one. He retired 16 of his final 18 batters and didn't allow a run despite pitching with runners in scoring position most of the afternoon.

The Indians put two runners on in the second, third and sixth but Parker worked out of trouble each time.

That's significant because two other Oakland starters, Brett Anderson and A.J. Griffin, are set to come off the disabled list soon to rejoin the rotation. Anderson could be activated as early as Monday.

Melvin hasn't said which of the A's current starters will be pushed out, though it's reasonable to assume Parker was and still may among those being considered.

He had lost three straight games, was winless since July 21 and had gone past the sixth only twice in his previous six starts before pairing with Cook for Oakland's 11th shutout this season.

"I was able to throw a lot two-seamers down in the zone, in and out," Parker said. "I just wanted to compress the damage and just try to slow it down and relax and make a couple of pitches when I needed to."

Leadoff hitter Coco Crisp homered and drove in five runs for Oakland while Brandon Moss added a solo shot and Cliff Pennington scored three times.

The A's won their fourth in a row and moved 10 games over .500, matching their high mark of the season.

Shin-Soo Choo singled twice for the Indians, who have lost five straight on their nine-game road trip.

"We were completely outplayed by these guys, especially outpitched, the whole series," Cleveland manager Manny Acta said. "We have struggled in areas that are not conducive to winning games and it's shown."

Cleveland was shut out for the sixth time this season. It was so bad for the Indians that Casey Kotchman got thrown out rounding first base after his high popup fell between a pair of Oakland infielders for a single.

The A's didn't have any such problems against starter Justin Masterson (9-11).

Oakland scored in four consecutive innings off the Cleveland right-hander, with Crisp doing the most damage. He had had RBI singles in the third and sixth, sandwiched around his three-run homer in the fifth.

Masterson, who had a 1.38 ERA over his previous two starts, allowed nine hits and struck out five while losing to the A's for the second time this season.

The Indians haven't had a winning road trip since taking two of three from the White Sox in early May. They fell to 1-5 on their current trip heading into a three-game series in Seattle beginning Monday.

NOTES: Griffin threw a second straight bullpen session without pain and could come off the disabled list Monday. ... RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (9-12) will take a second try at earning his 10th victory for Cleveland in Monday's series opener against Seattle. Jimenez has won at least 10 games in each of the previous four years. ... Oakland RHP Brandon McCarthy , coming off his first loss since April, pitches for the A's in Minnesota. McCarthy (6-4) is unbeaten in four career starts against the Twins.

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