By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Thursday, July 10, 2014

Oakland starter Scott Kazmir struck out nine in his seven innings of work Thursday, and, with some hitting punch from Josh Donaldson and Stephen Vogt, the Athletics downed San Francisco 6-1 in interleague action at AT&T Park.

With the victory, the A’s took three out of four games in the Bay Bridge series , have won seven of their last eight overall, and lead the AL West with a 58-34 record.

Kazmir, an American League All-Star selection, allowed only three hits and a walk while his record improved to 11-3. He has allowed one run or fewer in 11 of his 19 starts this season.

Kazmir didn’t allow a walk until he issued a pass to Hudson in the third inning and didn’t allow a hit until Michael Morse led off the fifth with a base hit.

San Francisco starter Tim Hudson (7-6) lost his fourth straight decision for the struggling Giants, who have lost 15 of their last 19 home games. Hudson allowed six runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings while suffering his second career loss against the A’s, where he spent the first six years of his career.

Oakland opened the top of the sixth with four straight extra-base hits, including a two-run homer by Donaldson, his 20th of the season. A two-run single by Vogt off Javier Lopez gave the Athletics a 6-0 lead.

Vogt also had an RBI single in the fifth, driving in John Jaso, who tripled.

San Francisco scored its only run in the eighth on an RBI single by Pablo Sandoval.

The game ended on a replay challenge when Oakland manager Bob Melvin questioned a call that Vogt pulled his foot off first base on an infield hit by Gregor Blanco. The call was reversed when the replay showed that Vogt kept his foot on the bag.

A’s ACORNS: Oakland OF Yoenis Cespedes, an AL All-Star, went 0-for-5, striking out four times and hitting into a double play. … The A’s open a three-game series in Seattle against the Mariners Friday. Jeff Samardzija (1-0) will make his second start for the A’s in the series opener, facing Felix Hernandez (10-2).