Wednesday April 3, 2002

Carlos Pena Leads A's Over Rangers

The Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) _ With a Giambi-like swing of the bat, Carlos Pena solidified his early season status as heir apparent to Oakland's departed star.

Pena hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the ninth inning Tuesday night, giving the Athletics a 3-2 victory over the Texas Rangers.

"I really don't think much about replacing Jason Giambi, because he is awesome," Pena said. "You can't replace him."

In other AL games, Seattle beat Chicago 7-4, Anaheim defeated Cleveland 7-5 and Tampa Bay topped Detroit 9-5.

Pena, acquired from the Rangers in an off-season trade, sent a 1-1 pitch from Dan Miceli (0-1) over the American flag on the right-center fence at the 388-foot marker.

Giambi, a lefty who left the A's to take a seven-year, $120 million deal with the New York Yankees, also used to favor that side of the field.

Afterward, Pena _ who has also taken over Giambi's post at first base _ was sprayed with shaving cream by A's teammate Eric Chavez.

Pena's other three major league homers came for Texas last year. He was traded to Oakland in January.

"It was a huge hit," A's manager Art Howe said. "He must be on cloud nine _ especially since it was his old team."

Miceli had pitched a perfect eighth for the Rangers before facing Pena.

"I tried to hit the outside corner, but it got in a little bit and he turned on it," Miceli said. "It dipped in the middle a little bit. It was supposed to be a sinker away."

A's closer Billy Koch (1-0) got credit for the win despite giving up Gabe Kapler's tying single with two outs in the top of ninth.

Koch, who came to Oakland in a trade with Toronto in the off-season, blew his first save opportunity with the A's.

With a 2-1 lead, Koch walked Rafael Palmeiro, then gave up a single to Ivan Rodriguez. Herbert Perry bunted into a forceout at third and rookie Hank Blalock struck out before Kapler singled.

Oakland's Tim Hudson allowed one run and four hits over 6 1-3 innings.

Hudson, who went 18-9 with a a 3.37 ERA last season, was pulled in the seventh after giving up a run-scoring single to Rodriguez. The 26-year-old right-hander struck out six and walked one.

With no decision, Texas starter Kenny Rogers preserved his streak at the Coliseum. The former Athletics pitcher has not lost in Oakland since Aug. 7, 1994, going 17-0 in 32 games (31 starts).

Rogers allowed two runs on three hits over five innings. He struck out four and walked five.

He nailed A's leadoff batter Jeremy Giambi in the right forearm with a pitch in the first. Frank Menechino walked, and an out later David Justice tripled to give the A's a 2-0 lead.

Mike Colangelo pinch hit for Giambi in the second inning, and then replaced him in left field. The A's said Jeremy Giambi _ Jason's younger brother _ had a contusion on his arm and would have X-rays Wednesday.

It was the second time in as many days that a Rangers starter hit an Oakland batter with a pitch. In Monday's opener, Chan Ho Park hit second baseman Randy Velarde on the left hand.

Velarde was replaced at second by Menechino. X-rays were negative, but Velarde's hand remained swollen Tuesday and he was unable to grip a bat.