OAKLAND – The distraction caused by Bartolo Colon's suspension did little to the A's on the field Wednesday afternoon as Tommy Milone pitched eight strong innings in a 5-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins.
Milone took the mound looking to steady the team and right his own ship after a four-start stretch of tough outings. He did just that, allowing just two hits, both in the second inning. He also departed on a high note, striking out Joe Mauer to end the eighth.
"The fastball seemed to be the one that worked today," said Milone (10-9), who became the ninth rookie in Oakland history to win at least 10 games. "I still threw my changeup and still got some swings and misses and some weak contact, but it's just one of those things where you go with what's working that day."
Milone also battled through some shaky A's defense. Oakland made four errors, including two in the fourth inning that put runners at first and third with one out. But Milone got Drew Butera to ground into a double play.
"The reason we did come back was Milone," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "He didn't let that affect him. In games past, he's been the guy who has been most affected by some plays."
Oakland's offense did its part in the third inning, when Yoenis Cespedes singled in two runs for a 3-1 lead. That lead grew to 4-1 in the fourth on Coco Crisp's RBI double.
Crisp capped his day with a solo homer in the seventh. He went 3 for 3 with three runs, a steal and two RBIs.
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