A's ride McCarthy to win over Dodgers
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Athletics scored all of their runs in the first inning and rode another strong effort from Brandon McCarthy to a 3-0 win over the Dodgers in the opener of a three-game interleague series Tuesday.
McCarthy (6-3) allowed just two hits over seven innings and earned up his sixth straight winning decision. He struck out five and walked one and talked afterward about his "simple strategy" for attacking hitters.
"I try to be in as much of an attack mentality as I can," said McCarthy. "I don't care if they put the ball in play on the first or second pitch. I try to make those pitches a little more quality than normal and try to move quickly."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Two runs scored after a Seth Smith single in the first and he later came home on Jonny Gomes' base hit, as the A's won for the sixth time in seven games.
Aaron Harang (5-4) walked a career-high eight batters and threw 105 pitches before exiting after only 3 2/3 innings. He gave up three hits and three runs while striking out six.
"It is what it is," said Harang. "I can't dwell on it."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Andre Ethier and Tony Gwynn had the only hits for the Dodgers, who took two of three from the White Sox over the weekend.
Ethier was the only Los Angeles runner advance into scoring position in the game. In the ninth he reached base on an error by Coco Crisp and moved to second on a walk. Ryan Cook then secured his fourth save of the season by inducing James Loney into a double play.
Harang had registered three straight quality starts entering Tuesday but he failed to continue the success. His troubles began with Crisp's leadoff double in the first and compounded with a walk to Jemile Weeks.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Crisp scored on Smith's base hit to center, which was misplayed by Gwynn, allowing Weeks to cross the plate as well. Gomes' two-out line drive to left made it 3-0.
In the fourth, Ethier singled and reached second on a groundout but McCarthy, who retired the final seven batters he faced, retired Loney to escape the threat.
Grant Balfour contributed to the shutout with a hitless eighth.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Game Notes
Harang's previous career-high in walks was seven. He posted that number on July 8, 2008...Athletics reliever Andrew Carignan underwent successful season- ending surgery on his right elbow earlier Tuesday. Recovery time is still undetermined for Carignan, who had a reconstructive procedure performed on his ulnar collateral ligament. The 25-year-old righty made 11 relief appearances for the A's this season.