Ted Lilly threw more pitches and, for the most part, better pitches. But the A's left-hander said he expected better results Sunday in his second start since coming off the disabled list.

``I felt my stuff overall was better than last time, but I still got behind and made mistakes in counts I can't afford to,'' said Lilly, who threw 63 pitches but didn't get a decision in the 6-3 loss to Seattle at Network Associates Coliseum. ``I'm really just trying to go out and give us a chance to win, regardless of how many pitches I have to work with.''

Lilly yielded three earned runs, four hits and two walks with five strikeouts in three innings before coming out because of a blister on his left middle finger. Tuesday at Anaheim, he threw 52 pitches in 2 1/3 innings and allowed three runs, five hits and two walks with two strikeouts in his first game since July 20.
The statistics were similar, but Lilly said so were his mistakes.
Two of the hits he allowed Sunday were with two strikes -- including a full-count home run to Mike Cameron in the first inning -- and both of his walks came with two out. He also left a fastball over the plate in the third inning that Edgar Martinez smashed for a two-run home run that gave Seattle a 3-2 lead.

``My stuff was good, but it doesn't matter if you go out and throw 8-10 pitches that are quality and then throw five that are poor,'' Lilly said. ``At this point I have to definitely minimize my mistakes.''