Oakland 7, Detroit 2

DETROIT, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Rich Harden pitched six innings and Eric Chavez sparked a four-run third inning Tuesday as Oakland posted a 7-2 victory over Detroit.

Harden (3-0) is considered Oakland's top pitching prospect and has lived up to high expectations. In his fourth career start, he allowed two runs and five singles. Harden helped the Athletics win for the ninth time in 12 games.

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In the fourth, Oakland sent eight men to the plate and had four hits against Detroit's Nate Cornejo. After Terrence Long doubled and Jose Guillen walked, Chavez lined a shot to left-center field for his third triple of the season.

Cornejo (5-10) had a second straight sub-par outing, allowing six runs and eight hits in just 4 1/3 innings.