Mays carries Twins over Athletics

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Moments before Joe Mays faced the Oakland Athletics' revamped lineup, he felt an uneasiness he couldn't place.

The feeling went away as soon as Mays began a dominant performance that stopped the Minnesota Twins' five-game losing streak.

Retiring the first nine A's and facing the minimum 21 batters through seven innings, Mays pitched two-hit ball through 7 2-3 innings Wednesday night in the Twins' 3-1 victory.

"Actually, I felt horrible down in the bullpen (before the game)," Mays said. "But when I got between the lines, I was able to make the adjustments I needed. I was able to get the plays on defense I needed."

Minnesota overshadowed Jermaine Dye's debut in Oakland with a sterling effort from Mays (12-7), who made his first All-Star team this season but lost his first two decisions after the break.

Mays gave much of the credit to his defense and the A's eager hitters. Oakland played into Mays' hands by swinging at his assortment of breaking and offspeed pitches.

"My defense has been there all year for me," Mays said. "I let them field, and I don't try to trick anyone. It was important for me to work 1-2-3 innings in close games. It allowed me to relax and throw the ball over the plate."

Jacque Jones drove in two runs, Denny Hocking homered and every starter got a hit for the Twins, who have fallen into a virtual tie atop the AL Central with Cleveland.

"We got ourselves into a little rut the last week or two, and now we've snapped ourselves out of it," Jones proclaimed.

Minnesota won for just the second time in 11 games by beating the red-hot A's, who lost for just the fourth time in 17 games.

Dye, acquired earlier in the day from the Royals in a three-team trade, played right field and hit fifth for the A's. He went 0-for-3, with Corey Koskie robbing him of a hit with a diving stop at third base in his first at-bat.

Dye won a Gold Glove last year, and he showed off his spectacular arm by throwing out Doug Mientkiewicz at third base in the eighth inning.

"It was exciting," Dye said. "These fans were really into the ballgame. That's something we haven't seen too much in Kansas City. That's what it's all about when you're in a (playoff) race. I haven't seen that in a long time - not since I was with the Braves."

But Mays was in top form against the A's, who didn't get a runner past first base until an eighth-inning rally.

Jason Giambi was hit by a pitch to open the eighth, and he advanced to third on two wild pitches. Terrence Long's one-out single to center broke up Mays' shutout, but Mays got another out before Eddie Guardado relieved.

Guardado allowed a hit, but he got Ramon Hernandez on an inning-ending popout. LaTroy Hawkins pitched the ninth for his 26th save in 30 chances.

Dye was strong in right field, but Long's first day in left field was trouble. Minnesota's first two runs scored when Long badly misjudged Jones' fly ball in left field.

Minnesota had two runners on in the second inning when Jones lined a ball at Long in left. Long started in, then went sprinting back to the wall to retrieve the ball as two runs scored.

"I just couldn't get comfortable out there, but that's no excuse," Long said. "I just don't know my way around (left field) yet. You can hit a million fungoes to me, but when the game starts, it's totally different. I just need a few games to get a grip on it."

The Twins' offense, which has scored more than three runs just twice in 13 games, continued to struggle - but Mays didn't need much help.

Hocking added his second homer of the season in the third inning against Cory Lidle (4-5), who allowed eight hits and three runs in seven innings.

"It's one of those nights where I wasn't perfect, and the other guy almost was," Lidle said.

Johnny Damon broke up Mays' no-hit bid by chopping a single to lead off the fourth, but he was caught stealing second. Mays retired the next six batters before walking Eric Chavez in the sixth, but he was erased on a double play.

Notes: Dye's debut drew 31,426 fans to the Coliseum - a very large crowd for an A's game on a weekday. ... Oakland placed OF Billy McMillon on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right shoulder to make room on the roster for Dye. McMillon was hitting .394 since the All-Star break. ... Long began the season in center field, then was moved to right field last month by manager Art Howe so Damon could use his speed in center. Since Dye won the Gold Glove in right last year, Long might stay in left for the rest of the season.