OAKLAND, Calif., July 9 (UPI) -- Oakland right-hander Justin Duchscherer two-hit the Seattle Mariners Tuesday for his first career shutout in a 2-0 Athletics victory.
The Mariners managed just two hits off Duchscherer (10-5) and never got as far as third base. Duchscherer didn't issue any walks and notched three strikeouts to win for the sixth time in seven starts. He lowered his majors-leading ERA to 1.78.
Ryan Sweeney, Kurt Suzuki and Jack Hannahan each had two hits for the A's, who have won four of their last six.
Carlos Silva (4-11) lost for the ninth time in his last 10 starts, despite giving up two runs on seven hits while striking out five and walking none over eight innings.
The Mariners have dropped three straight.
Earlier in the day, Oakland traded ace pitcher Rich Harden to the Chicago Cubs in a six-player deal that also saw reliever Chad Gaudin go to the first-place Cubs. The A's got pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielder Matt Murton, infielder Eric Patterson and a minor league catcher in return.
