OAKLAND, Calif., May 7 (UPI) -- Mark Mulder pitched a five-hitter for his third straight complete game Tuesday night as Oakland ripped the Chicago White Sox, 6-0.
The Athletics took advantage of a key error by White Sox second baseman D'Angelo Jimenez in the first inning.
Mulder (5-1), part of a vaunted trio along with reigning Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito and Tim Hudson, dominated one of the American League's best offensive teams.
Mulder surrendered a pair of doubles and three singles, walked two, and struck out four in his second shutout of the season and seventh of his career. The lefthander became the first Oakland pitcher to throw three straight complete games since Bobby Witt in 1994.
Mulder has won his last four starts, allowing just three runs and 17 hits in 34 innings.
In his latest gem, Mulder had some help. With the bases loaded and two outs in the first inning, Jimenez dropped a routine popup by Ramon Hernandez, allowing three runs to score.
White Sox starter Mark Buehrle (2-5) took the loss, allowing six runs, two earned, and seven hits in 7 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out two.
The game lasted just 1 hour, 49 minutes.
