Zambrano got his 4th win... (HH2004)

That was his 5th start. For his 4 starts before this game, he pitched all games with QS, not allowing as much as 3 runs, pitching at least 6 innings per game and also for his three starts after the opening, astonishingly all three games were shotout games. No run was allowed for 27 innings. In last start, he did quality start but he got his first loss for the season.

 

Against Mariners, he took no mistake during his delivery. The single run that was scored from Mariners was Ichiro's inside-park home-run in 4th inning. A's conserved the lead to the end of the game.

 

In the bottom of 2nd inning, lead off Choi  doubled and Bradley took a walk to put runners 1st and 2nd base with no out. Next hitter Adam Melhuse hit double-play ground ball, so one runner remained on third with two outs. The chance was almost disappeared. But Mark Ellis his RBI single to make Choi score to help the team. Juan Pierre's single and Brian Roberts' double were followed and A's gather one more run to take the lead by 2-0.

 

A's allowed one run in 4th inning with Ichiro's inside-park home run, no more run was allowed after that inning. Zambrano pitched 7 innings, giving up only 1 run and 1 walk. He also panned 6 opponent hitters. Huston Street pitched scoreless 8th inning to get a hold and Francisco Rodriguez pitched perfect 9th inning to take his 3rd save, downing his ERA from 1.42 to 1.23.

 

A's strengthened their speedy-run in the AL west to widen the gap with 2nd place Angels to 4 games. It was good start of May for Athletics.