Photo credit: @Athletics

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s won their sixth in a row and improved their record to 25-25. Frankie Montas continues to be the best pitcher on the A’s staff. He went six innings, allowed five hits and no runs, struck out nine and walked two. Jefry Rodriguez (1-4) took the loss for the Cleveland Indians.

The A’s offense continued to produce. They scored two in the first, and one in the second, third, fourth, sixth and seventh innings. The hitting stars were Mark Canha with a home run, and a double and three RBIs. Canha was the DH as Khris Davis was unavailable due to a hip injury. A’s backup catcher, Nick Hundley, was 3-for-4 with a home run, double, and single. He had two RBI’s in the game.

Yusmeiro Petit pitched a scoreless seventh. A’s manager Bob Melvin, brought in Fernando Rodney to pitch the eighth. Rodney, who has not thrown well this year, had another rough outing. Rodney walked the first hitter Carlos Santana. Jake Bauers followed with a 450-foot home run to put two on the board for Cleveland. Rodney gave up a single to Jose Ramirez and then walked Mike Freeman. Melvin saw enough and brought in Lou Trivino to pitch. Trivino was sharp as he retired the next three hitters. Joakim Soria closed out the game for the A’s in the ninth.

Game Notes: Brett Anderson, who hurt his neck in his last start, will be able to make his next start Sunday.

The A’s finished the road trip with a 6-2 record. One game was suspended with Detroit due to rain. The game will be completed when the Tigers visit Oakland in September.

The A’s won the season series with the Indians 5-1.

The A’s remain in third place in the AL West as the Texas Rangers won their game and remain 1/2 game ahead of the A’s.

The Indians designated the 11-year veteran Carlos Gonzalez for assignment. Cargo started his career with the A’s, but was traded to the Colorado Rockies.

Up Next: The A’s flew home after Wednesday’s game with the Indians. They have an off day on Thursday and resume play against the Seattle Mariners Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum. The A’s have played the M’s four times this season and lost all four. The A’s will send Daniel Mengden to pitch Friday night. Mengden is 1-1 and has a 3.65 ERA. The Mariners will counter with lefty Wade LeBlanc, who is 2-1 and owns a 7.36 ERA. The game will start at 7:07 pm.