ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- Barry Zito is picking up right where he left off in 2002.
The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner allowed one run and four hits in seven innings as the Oakland Athletics edged the Texas Rangers, 2-1.
Zito (2-0) did struggle with his control, walking four, but struck out seven in improving to 8-0 in 12 lifetime appearances against the Rangers. The 24-year-old lefthander improved his career winning percentage to .742 (49-16) - tops among any pitcher ever to record 65 decisions.
"I started preparing earlier this year both mentally and physically," Zito said. "I just wanted to pick up where I left off last year."
"It's funny we talked all day how we always have high-scoring games in Texas and then we got out and have a pitchers' duel," Oakland manager Ken Macha said. "Zito had his stuff working."
Zito's 42 wins since the start of the 2001 season are the most in baseball.
"I had my pitches working today," said Zito, who has won 10 straight decisions dating to last season. "My curveball was working and that was a plus.
Zito's latest gem was preserved by three relievers. After Ricardo Rincon allowed the only batter he faced to reach on an error, Chad Bradford got two outs in the eighth. Keith Foulke recorded the final four outs for his third save.
Texas starter John Thomson allowed a run and seven hits in six innings, walking two and striking out seven. He was lifted after throwing 121 pitches.
"Thomson was outstanding," Oakland first baseman Scott Hatteberg said. "We tried to get his pitch count up, but it was a pitching duel."
"I got in the bullpen and tried not to think about mechanics," Thomson said. "I worked on them in spring training, now let's go out there and see what happens."
Esteban Yan (0-1) followed Thomson and surrendered a tie-breaking RBI double to Hatteberg in the seventh.
The A's had a runner at third base with one out in the first but Thomson struck out Miguel Tejada and got Eric Chavez to bounce out.
Tejada came through in the fourth, launching an RBI double to right field that scored Hatteberg. Tejada took third on a passed ball but Thomson struck out Chavez and Jermain Dye. After issuing an intentional walk to Erubiel Durazo, Thomson retired Terrence Long on a comebacker.
Texas left two aboard in the fourth but got even in the fifth when Rafael Palmeiro opened the inning with his 492nd career homer run.
Yan started the seventh and ran into immediate trouble. Chris Singleton led off with a double and Ellis singled, but Singleton was thrown out at the plate on a strong throw by right fielder Juan Gonzalez.
Ellis took second on the play and scored when Gonzalez could not run down Hatteberg's two-base hit.
Oakland had a chance to tack on insurance runs later in the inning but Dye bounced out to end the inning.
Rincon took over for Zito in the eighth and Hank Blalock reached on a throwing error by second baseman Ellis. Bradford came on and got Alex Rodriguez on a forceout and Gonzalez on a flyout.
Foulke entered and struck out Carl Everett to end the inning.
After Oakland left a runner at third in the top of the ninth, Foulke worked out of a jam in the bottom of the inning. Palmeiro reached on an error by Tejada at shortstop but rookie Mark Teixeira struck out on four pitches.
Michael Young had a single to put runners on the corners but pinch hitter Mike Lamb struck out on four pitches and Doug Glanville popped out.
"The bullpen was on tonight," Zito said. "Foulke was excellent. He really showed me something tonight."
