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PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Tim Hudson did not match Mark Mulder's performance, but he did shut down the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Johnny Damon provided the offense with two home runs to lead the Oakland Athletics to a 5-1 victory. Hudson (9-5) came within one out of his first shutout of the season, tossing an eight-hitter for his second complete game. He threw 102 pitches and struck out six without walking a batter. One of just two 20-game winners in the American League last season, Hudson improved to 7-2 in 13 starts since May, slicing his ERA from 6.35 to 3.02. "It gives us a great chance to win every game when you get that kknd of starting pitching," Oakland manager Art Howe said. "He picked up right where Mulder left off. "He was throwing strikes, not walking anybody, was keeping the ball down, getting ground balls. We turned three double plays, which were big." Arizona was held to one hit by Mulder in Oakland's 3-0 victory on Friday and managed just seven singles against Hudson until Jay Bell's RBI double with two out in the ninth inning. Bell drove an 0-2 pitch to deep left field, but Jeremy Giambi leaped against the fence and just missed making a nice catch. "His outing was a tough one to follow, he was lights out," Hudson said of Mulder. "I just wanted to pitch my game. I was able to throw strikes and had a good sinker going and made them hit a lot of ground balls. This is the way we expected to play. It's a little late to start playing like this, but better late than never." Hudson retired Mark Grace on a groundout to seal Oakland's fifth win in six games. "Obviously, the guys did a really good job tonight, but it's three days in a row," Grace said as the Diamondbacks were held to fewer than two runs for the third straight game. "I'm sitting here having to (give credit to) an opposing pitcher. It's getting kind of old." Damon's two-homer performance was his second this season and third of his career. He needed a triple for the cycle when he hit former Athletic Mike Mohler's 1-2 pitch over the right-field fence to give Oakland a 5-0 lead with one out in the top of the ninth. "I'm happy where I'm at," said Damon, who is batting just .239. "Tonight was definitely a big game for me. I'm not too concerned about my batting average. I just have to get on base and score runs. I'm feeling a little more comfortable now. Coming here to new surroundings bothered me and I dug a big hole for myself. But playing center field helps, I'm more comfortable there." Miguel Tejada also homered for the A's (43-43), who returned to .500 for the first time since June 14. Starter Miguel Batista (4-5) gave up four runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings as the Diamondbacks lost for the fourth time in five games. Damon led off the game with a double and Frank Menechino singled him home to give the A's a quick lead. Oakland doubled the margin with one out in the third when Damon hit Batista's 3-2 pitch over the right-field fence for his eighth homer. With two outs in the sixth, Tejada hit his 19th homer to make it 3-0. Terrence Long walked, stole second and, after Ramon Hernandez worked out an eight-pitch walk, Troy Brohawn replaced Batista. Eric Chavez greeted Brohawn with a run-scoring single before Hudson fouled out. Arizona relievers had a 17 2/3-inning scoreless streak snapped by Damon's second homer.
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