A's freefall continues

Meyer can't survive 2nd for Oakland

By JANIE McCAULEY
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

last updated: August 30, 2008 08:16:10 AM

OAKLAND -- Joe Mauer matched his career high with five hits and had a season-best four RBIs and the Minnesota Twins hammered the Oakland Athletics 12-2 on Friday night.

Cleanup hitter Justin Morneau doubled twice among his four hits and scored twice as Minnesota pounded a season-high 20 hits.

Mauer had a two-run single in Minnesota's six-run second. A's lefty Dan Meyer (0-3), who is still searching for his first major league win after 16 appearances and six starts, didn't make it out of the second inning, recording five outs before he gave way to Kirk Saarloos.

Kevin Slowey (11-8) struck out 10 in six innings to win for the fifth time in his last six decisions.

Jack Cust hit a two-run homer for one of the few highlights for Oakland, which was coming off its first consecutive wins since July 10-11 -- a span of 40 games.

Meyer (0-3) is filling in as a starter for the A's until either All-Star Justin Duchscherer or Sean Gallagher comes off the disabled list. He went 3-0 with a 2.10 ERA over his final five starts with Triple-A Sacramento, but that success hasn't transferred to the next level.

Kirk Saarloos had his own problems. He allowed 12 hits and five runs in five innings. The 12 hits allowed tied Paul Lindblad for the most ever by an Oakland reliever.

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