Tribe Gets The Wright Stuff

Jaret Wright has gotten aggressive, a contrast to the pitcher who struggled last season.

Wright pitched a five-hitter for the second complete game of his career as the Cleveland Indians beat the Oakland Athletics 5-0 Wednesday for a three-game sweep.

"His fastball was back. He was aggressive, like he normally was," Oakland's Jason Giambi said. "Last year, for whatever reason, he wasn't as aggressive. Today he threw strike one, strike two and got ahead in the count."

Jim Thome hit a two-run double and Manny Ramirez added two hits, including a double, as the Indians swept the A's for the first time since July 21-23, 1995. Cleveland has won 15 of its last 17 games against Oakland.

"I felt good in the bullpen. I had a good fastball and curve and tried to carry it over into the game," said Wright, 5-1 against Oakland in seven career starts. "I couldn't overlook one hitter. You can't lose your focus."

He did not allow a runner past first and faced just 31 batters, four over the minimum.

"I was staying with the fastball," he said. "I kept the ball down and went up for effect. The complete game is satisfying. You can feel good for a night or two, then prepare for your next start."

Thome fouled off six two-strike pitches in the seventh before his broken-bat double off Gil Heredia (0-1). Richie Sexson chased Heredia with an RBI single.

Cleveland scored its first run in the fifth on a double play that included an error plus a putout at second base by the center fielder. Thome and David Justice walked around an out, and Travis Fryman grounded to Jorge Velandia.

The second baseman tried to tag Justice, who ran back toward first, and Velandia's throw to first pulled Jason Giambi off the bag, allowing Fryman to reach.

With Justice caught between first and second, he got into a rundown that wound up with Tejada tagging Justice 10 feet from first. Fryman saw second base was unprotected and took off. Center fielder Rich Becker alertly reached the bag in plenty of time to take a throw and complete a 3-6-8 double play.

Heredia allowed four runs three runs and six hits in six innings.

Roberto Alomar homered off Jason Isringhausen in ninth. Ben Grieve and Jason Giambi each had two hits for Oakland.

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