Braden stymies Sox, gets first win since May 9 perfect game

Posted July 25, 2010 11:00 pm

OAKLAND, Calif. - Dallas Braden glanced into the stands as he walked off the mound and made eye contact with his grandmother.

Peggy Lindsey gave him a look that told the pitcher he was on track for a long-awaited victory - but don't count it yet.

Braden won for the first time in 10 starts since his perfect game May 9, ending a five-game losing streak as the Oakland Athletics beat the White Sox 6-4 on Sunday.

"It was a Sunday, a while ago," Braden said, noting it felt like "eons."

Kurt Suzuki drove in 3 runs two days after receiving a $16 million, four-year contract, and Daric Barton hit a 2-run single in the second before Suzuki followed with one of his own. Suzuki added another RBI single in the fourth.

Afterward, Suzuki had a little fun with the pitcher he's caught from the minors to the majors.

"Finally win one, huh?" Suzuki said.

Paul Konerko gave the Sox an early lead on an RBI double with two outs in the first. After that, Braden (5-7) retired 13 of the next 14 White Sox hitters. This was the lefty's second start since coming off the disabled list July 20 following a bout with tightness in his throwing elbow.

Braden insists the funk didn't frustrate him. He is most thrilled to be back helping the team.

"Wins and losses is what everybody pays attention to. It is so glaring. That's the soup of the day," Braden said. "There's a lot of luck involved winning a big-league baseball game."

Braden left in the seventh to a rousing standing ovation, the A's well on their way to a fourth win in five games and ninth in 11. It was Lindsey who helped raise Braden, especially after his mother's death from skin cancer when he was a high school senior. She was among the first to greet him after his perfecto against Tampa Bay.

While Braden wasn't ready to celebrate Sunday's outing, the outspoken pitcher did seem relieved.

"I can finally quit answering calls from the Oakland Zoo looking for their monkey," he said. "He's off my back and I'll be sending him home."

The 9 consecutive starts without a victory after a no-hitter was the longest such streak in major-league history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The White Sox' Mark Buehrle - who beat the A's here Friday night - went eight outings without a win last year after his perfect game on July 23, 2009.

Braden showed improved command of his pitches and seemed unfazed when he fell behind early. The offense quickly provided him everything he needed to finally get back in the win column.

Oakland captured its fourth straight series and third since the all-star break, winning its seventh consecutive day game. The A's relied on small ball a day after hitting 3 home runs in a 10-2 win.

They added another run on reliever Erick Threets' wild throw past first trying to pick off a stealing Coco Crisp at first base. Crisp was credited with a stolen base, then easily scored on the 2-base error.

Braden allowed 2 of his 5 hits in the seventh, giving way to Brad Ziegler. Braden struck out five and walked two in 61/3 innings. His sinker was better and his changeup was consistent.

"If I don't throw any nice changeups I'll be bagging groceries," Braden said.

The White Sox got 3 straight RBI singles in the seventh, from Juan Pierre, Alexei Ramirez and Alex Rios. But they couldn't do enough against Braden.

"He's a character, a goofy son of a gun. That's all I can say. I don't see anything special," joked White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "He throws strikes and changes speeds and he gives his team a good chance to win, but I don't see anything special. Congratulations on the perfect game, but if Mark Buehrle can throw a perfect game anybody can."

Michael Wuertz finished with a 1-2-3 ninth for his third save. A's closer Andrew Bailey, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, was unavailable for the second straight game because of back spasms.

Daniel Hudson (1-1) struggled in his third start since being called up from Triple-A Charlotte on July 11. After winning at Seattle on Monday and going a career-best 62/3 innings, he was done after throwing 108 pitches in 5 innings. Hudson allowed 5 runs, all earned, on 6 hits, struck out four and walked four.

Scouting report

White Sox vs. Seattle Mariners at U.S. Cellular Field

TV: Channel 26 Monday; Comcast SportsNet Tuesday-Thursday

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Pitching matchups: The Sox' John Danks (10-7, 3.37 ERA) vs. Felix Hernandez (7-6, 2.75) Monday; Gavin Floyd (5-8, 3.87) vs. Ryan Rowland-Smith (1-9, 6.27) Tuesday; Mark Buehrle (9-8, 3.96) vs. Jason Vargas (6-5, 2.94) Wednesday; Freddy Garcia (9-4, 4.74) vs. David Pauley (0-2, 2.18) Thursday. All games start at 7:10 p.m.

At a glance: The White Sox return home after opening the second half of the season with a 10-game road trip. They went 4-6 in stops at Minnesota, Seattle and Oakland. The Sox won two of three from the Mariners at Safeco Field last week. They were positioned for their second straight three-game sweep over the Mariners this season, but Bobby Jenks couldn't hold a 1-0 lead in the 11th inning on Wednesday. Danks hasn't allowed a run in his last 112/3 innings, and he is 3-0 with a 2.38 ERA in his last 3 starts. The White Sox are again going to have their hands full vs. Hernandez. He pitched 8 shutout innings at Safeco Field on Wednesday. Dating back to last season, Hernandez has pitched 23 consecutive scoreless innings against the Sox. The White Sox have won 14 of their last 15 at home.

Next: Oakland A's, Friday-Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field

- Scot Gregor