Moss helps Athletics beat Yankees 3-2

[July 21, 2012]  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Brandon Moss hit a game-ending RBI single with one out in the ninth inning to give Oakland another dose of late-inning dramatics as the Athletics beat the New York Yankees 3-2 on Friday night for their seventh win in eight games.

Yoenis Cespedes singled with one out in the ninth off Cody Eppley (0-1) for his fourth hit of the game and went to second on Jonny Gomes' infield hit. Moss, who left the bases loaded twice earlier in the game, lined a single to right field and Cespedes slid in safely ahead of Andruw Jones throw.

That gave Oakland its 10th walk-off win of the season and seventh in its past 14 home games, bailing out All-Star closer Ryan Cook (4-2), who allowed a game-tying homer to Robinson Cano in the top of the ninth.

The Yankees were completely silenced by Oakland rookie Tommy Milone, who struck out a career-high 10 batters in seven scoreless innings as the A's took a 2-0 lead.

But Oakland failed to build on the single runs scored in the third and fourth inning, squandering numerous scoring chances. The A's left the bases loaded in the first and seventh inning with Moss making the final out both times and stranded 12 runners over the first eight innings.

That helped the Yankees tie the game with a solo homer by Russell Martin off Jerry Blevins in the eighth and by Cano against Cook to lead off the ninth. Cook has four blown saves in 14 chances.

Milone allowed seven hits and no walks and tied an Oakland record with his 10 strikeouts against the Yankees. He also helped end New York's streak of 43 consecutive games with at least three runs -- the longest in the majors since Cleveland's 48-game run in 1994.

The first two game of this series have been a far cry from New York's first visit to Oakland in late May when the Yankees overwhelmed the A's in a three-game sweep to extend their winning streak at the Coliseum to nine games. That was part of a nine-game overall losing streak for the A's, who have recovered since then to post the second best record in the majors to the Yankees since June 2.

A pitching staff that leads the American League in ERA this season is the biggest reason for the recent success that has Oakland (49-44) five games over .500 for the first time since April 2010 and only a half-game out of a wild-card spot.

After leaving the bases loaded in the first inning, the A's struck for single runs in the third and fourth innings against Ivan Nova. Coco Crisp led off the third with a triple and scored on Jemile Weeks' sacrifice fly. Moss and Brandon Inge then hit back-to-back doubles to open the fourth to make it 2-0.

NOTES: Cano had two hits, extending his hitting streak to 23 games. ... Yankees OF Nick Swisher left the game in the seventh with a mild left hip flexor strain. ... Milone is the fourth Oakland pitcher to strike out 10 against the Yankees with Bobby Witt the last to do it on July 2, 1993. ... Oakland RF Josh Reddick threw out Mark Teixeira going from first to third on Rodriguez's single in the fourth for his ninth assist of the season.... Yankees RHP Joba Chamberlain (ankle) allowed two runs -- one earned -- and two hits in a rehab start for Class-A Tampa in the Florida State League. ... Jarrod Parker (6-4) makes his first career start against the New York Yankees on Saturday against Phil Hughes (9-7).

[Associated Press; By JOSH DUBOW]

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