OAKLAND -- Scott Kazmir was worth the wait.Initially penciled in to start Tuesday night's game that was washed out, Oakland's newest rotation member finally took the mound Wednesday afternoon for a matinee affair against his former Indians teammates and simply dominated them.Kazmir allowed just three hits and didn't walk a batter in the five-strikeout performance, a 7 1/3-inning joyride that guided the A's to a 6-1 victory -- their first of the season -- in the first game of a split doubleheader at the Oakland Coliseum. 
The 30-year-old Kazmir is Oakland's biggest risk to date, and surely the most expensive. Even though the southpaw endured a two-year layoff from the big league scene in advance of a renaissance season in Cleveland last year, the A's awarded him a two-year, $22 million deal in the offseason, amounting to more money they've ever promised to a free-agent starter.Kazmir pitched past the sixth inning in just five of his 29 starts last year, but by the time he entered the seventh on Wednesday he was only at 69 pitches. The lefty finished at 94 on the day.His new teammates, meanwhile, provided more than enough support.After being shut out in Monday's opener, the A's posted 12 hits against Cleveland's staff, including eight off right-handed starter Corey Kluber, chasing him away after only 3 1/3 innings.The A's got right to work in the first inning, with Coco Crisp leading off with a base hit and eventually scoring on an RBI single from Yoenis Cespedes.In the second, three consecutive singles from Alberto Callaspo, Derek Norris and Eric Sogard paved the way for Crisp's sacrifice fly. Josh Donaldson's ensuing fielder's choice ground ball sent Norris home, but Oakland's catcher was called out on a close play at the plate. Manager Bob Melvin utilized his first 2014 challenge to refute the call, but it was upheld.Still, the A's found another way to score, with Jed Lowrie following the challenge with an RBI base hit, giving his club a 3-0 edge.Callaspo, given the start at third base while Donaldson took his turn as designated hitter, was in the middle of the action again in the third, launching a first-pitch homer over the right-field wall, a two-run shot that extended Oakland's lead to five runs.The A's would score again in the sixth, courtesy of back-to-back doubles from Lowrie and Brandon Moss.Norris, who drew the rare start against a right-hander, made good on the decision by collecting three hits.Jane Lee / MLB.com
The 30-year-old Kazmir is Oakland's biggest risk to date, and surely the most expensive. Even though the southpaw endured a two-year layoff from the big league scene in advance of a renaissance season in Cleveland last year, the A's awarded him a two-year, $22 million deal in the offseason, amounting to more money they've ever promised to a free-agent starter.Kazmir pitched past the sixth inning in just five of his 29 starts last year, but by the time he entered the seventh on Wednesday he was only at 69 pitches. The lefty finished at 94 on the day.His new teammates, meanwhile, provided more than enough support.After being shut out in Monday's opener, the A's posted 12 hits against Cleveland's staff, including eight off right-handed starter Corey Kluber, chasing him away after only 3 1/3 innings.The A's got right to work in the first inning, with Coco Crisp leading off with a base hit and eventually scoring on an RBI single from Yoenis Cespedes.In the second, three consecutive singles from Alberto Callaspo, Derek Norris and Eric Sogard paved the way for Crisp's sacrifice fly. Josh Donaldson's ensuing fielder's choice ground ball sent Norris home, but Oakland's catcher was called out on a close play at the plate. Manager Bob Melvin utilized his first 2014 challenge to refute the call, but it was upheld.Still, the A's found another way to score, with Jed Lowrie following the challenge with an RBI base hit, giving his club a 3-0 edge.Callaspo, given the start at third base while Donaldson took his turn as designated hitter, was in the middle of the action again in the third, launching a first-pitch homer over the right-field wall, a two-run shot that extended Oakland's lead to five runs.The A's would score again in the sixth, courtesy of back-to-back doubles from Lowrie and Brandon Moss.Norris, who drew the rare start against a right-hander, made good on the decision by collecting three hits.Jane Lee / MLB.com
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