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Unstoppable A's down Twins, extend winning streak to 17 gamesPosted: Sunday September 01, 2002 12:07 AMUpdated: Sunday September 01, 2002 3:38 AM
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- The only thing missing from the Oakland Athletics' 17th consecutive win was a victory for Cory Lidle. Lidle's masterful month came to an end Saturday when he allowed his first earned run in August on the month's final day, but the A's got enough late offense to defeat the Minnesota Twins 6-3 and extend the majors' longest winning streak in 49 years. Eric Chavez hit a tiebreaking two-run single in the eighth inning and finished with four RBIs for the A's, who have the longest winning streak since the 1953 New York Yankees won 18 in a row. Oakland's 17 consecutive wins matched a franchise record set by the 1931 Philadelphia A's. "It's unbelievable," Lidle said. "I don't care if you're an All-Star team, if someone says you're going to win 17 in a row you don't believe it." One might have had a hard time imagining a pitcher going 43 innings without an earned run, too. That's what Lidle did, but another solid start was wasted. Lidle left with one out in the eighth carrying a 3-1 lead.
It only slightly dampened the accomplishment. "Just enjoy the ride," manager Art Howe said of the streak. "These guys find a way to win every night. Cory Lidle was the story tonight and the only drawback to the win was that he didn't get the win." Minnesota's Dustan Mohr hit a pinch-hit home run in the eighth and Torii Hunter tied the game with a run-scoring single off Jim Mecir later in the inning. Chavez, who homered in the seventh and had three hits, came up with the bases loaded after Minnesota reliever J.C. Romero (8-2) intentionally walked Miguel Tejada. Chavez shattered his bat on Romero's first pitch but the ball got past Luis Rivas into center field, scoring two runs. "Right now it's going their way," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "They're hot. When you're hot, things like that happen. Bloops, everything works." Billy Koch worked the ninth for his career-high 37th save in 42 opportunities. Koch's 11 saves in August set an Oakland record. When Lidle walked off the field with a wave of his cap, the winning streak seemed safe. But left-hander Ricardo Rincon, who had allowed one run since joining the team in July, entered and immediately gave up a home run to Mohr. After the Twins put two more runners on, Mecir (5-3) relieved Rincon. Mecir struck out Matthew LeCroy looking and got two strikes on Hunter before the All-Star lined a single to left-center to score Cristian Guzman. The AL-West leading A's finish their three-game series with the Central division-leading Twins on Sunday. Oakland finished 24-4 in August and Lidle, who appeared to be on the outs two months ago, got them five of those wins. He allowed four hits in 7 1/3 innings with six strikeouts and a walk. "August is the best month I've ever had pitching," Lidle said. "I don't think it had anything to do with the month. I'm in a groove right now. I've got a little routine down and I have to keep it up." Minnesota's Corey Koskie doubled with two outs in the sixth and David Ortiz knocked him home with a double of his own to end Lidle's streak of innings without an earned run at 43. He had given up an unearned run Monday at Kansas City. Lidle worked quickly from the beginning. He retired 12 of the first 14 batters he faced, giving up a walk to Koskie in the first and a single Doug Mientkiewicz, one of two hits for Minnesota's first baseman. The Twins are trying to figure out how to slow down the amazing A's. "It's one of those things where you run into a hot team and we're just having a tough time getting a break," Mohr said. The crowd of 42,841, attracted partly by postgame fireworks for Labor Day, was impressive for an opponent other than the Yankees or the Boston Red Sox. The A's drew just 25,221 Friday night. The A's gave Lidle a two-run cushion in the first on three singles, including a run-scoring liner down the right-field line by Chavez that scored Tejada from third. Chavez hit a solo home run on a full count to lead off the seventh off Minnesota starter Kyle Lohse, who allowed four hits in seven innings.
Notes: Oakland starters have won 16 of the 17 games during the win streak. ... Mohr was hitting .207 against left-handers and homered off lefty reliever Rincon. ... The A's called up RHP Mike Fyhrie after the game and he will join the team on Sunday from Class AAA Sacramento. He is the first of the team's September call-ups.
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