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"It hasn't been a joyous day for me in a while," Braden said. "With my grandma in the stands, it makes it a lot better."
Braden's perfect game was the sixth no-hitter in Oakland history. The 26-year-old Braden, a native of nearby Stockton, was a 24th-round draft pick by the A's in 2004. He improved his career record to 18-23.
"Little League, I got a couple of them under my belt," Braden said. "In the bullpen, I'm damn near perfect every day."
His grandmother gets the game ball, the Stockton Hall of Fame everything else. Dozens of supporters from Stockton packed the Coliseum's Section 209 -- the number of their area code.
Last Mother's Day, Braden was hit by a line drive by Vernon Wells.
"You know, a year later you don't expect anything like this," he said. "I'm just happy to be putting on the costume a year later."
The A's defense didn't even have to make a really tough play in fair territory.
Third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff sprinted to the dirt in front of Oakland's dugout to catch a foul popup by Dioner Navarro for the second out in the sixth. Kapler then fouled out on a 12-pitch at-bat on another ball caught by Kouzmanoff. Navarro fouled off five straight pitches before the popup.
In the eighth, Kouzmanoff went down the dugout steps to snare Carlos Pena's foul.
"I told him he needs to quit stealing my thunder," Braden said. "He makes ridiculous plays."
Landon Powell -- who caught the game with regular catcher Kurt Suzuki injured -- Kouzmanoff and Ryan Sweeney each singled in runs for the A's, who added two unearned runs in the fourth after catcher Navarro's throwing error.
This was even a first for longtime umpire Jim Wolf, who worked home plate.
"You do get caught up in it a little bit," said Wolf, who watched younger brother Randy throw a perfect game and no-hitter as a high-schooler.
James Shields (4-1) failed to beat the A's for the second time in 12 days after striking out 12 in a 10-3 win April 28.
NOTES: The A's last no-hitter was by Dave Stewart on June 29, 1990, at Toronto. ... Maddon is open to the idea of Longoria playing every day this season. "I'm not opposed to it," Maddon said. "We'll look at it. If he's well, I believe he's capable of all the games."
[Associated Press;
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