OAKLAND, Calif., July 31 (UPI) -- Rick Harden fired seven scoreless innings Thursday and Miguel Tejada had a key two-run single as Oakland edged Cleveland, 3-1.
Harden (2-0) allowed a double and a pair of singles while striking out nine as he dominated the Indians. The 21-year-old righthander has allowed just two runs and 14 hits in 21 innings over his first three major league starts, bolstering a rotation that features Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito.
Chad Bradford allowed Milton Bradley's two-out RBI double in the eighth inning before getting Ben Broussard to ground out. Closer Keith Foulke surrendered a two-out double to John McDonald in the ninth before retiring pinch hitter Ryan Ludwick on a flyout.
Tejada's clutch hit in the fifth inning gave the Athletics a 3-0 cushion.
