Olivares Aces A's By D'Rays

Omar Olivares made a favorable impression on his new teammates Saturday.

Olivares, acquired from Anaheim on Thursday, pitched seven strong innings in his Oakland debut and Eric Chavez and John Jaha homered as the Athletics beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 5-1.

Olivares (9-9), who snapped a personal three-game losing streak, did not allow an earned run, giving up four hits and six walks. He struck out three as the A's won their fifth straight home game.

"He did outstanding," Chavez said. "He walked a few guys but he backed that up by throwing a couple of double play balls. I'm very impressed with him."

"I was more consistent in hitting my spots this time," Olivares said. "Coming here, it's more exciting because we're playing for something."

Doug Jones got five outs for his fifth save.

Tampa Bay's Rolando Arrojo (2-7) allowed four runs three earned and four hits in seven innings. He struck out five and walked five. The Devil Rays have lost eight of their last 10 games.

"Arrojo threw the ball well," Tampa Bay manager Larry Rothschild said. "We just didn't get the runs. We let (Olivares) walk enough guys, but we didn't get anything from them. We let him off the hook."

Olivares did complain of a slight pinch in his right leg, but said he stretched it out by the fourth inning and "started pounding the strike zone."

Wade Boggs went 0-for-2 with two walks for Tampa Bay and s still eight hits shy of 3,000.

Jason Giambi singled home Oakland's first run in the third inning. Velarde, in his second game with the A's following the trade, also scored on the play when Terrell Lowery's throw got by Boggs at third.

Chavez hit his 10th homer of the season, a two-run shot off Arrojo, to give the A's a 4-0 lead in the fourth. Chavez is hitting .333 (12-for-36) since the All-Star break.

Jaha hit his 26th home run to lead off the eighth.

Tampa Bay scored an unearned run against Olivares in the fifth. Mike DiFelice singled, and went to third on an error by Velarde at second base. Tony Graffanino, in his second game as a Devil Ray since being recalled from Triple-A Durham, singled home DiFelice.

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