SAN FRANCISCO -- All-Star Scott Kazmir capped the best first-half of his career with one of his best starts yet. Kazmir struck out nine in seven scoreless innings to help the Oakland Athletics win the annual Bay Bridge series by beating the San Francisco Giants 6-1 on Thursday. "I felt good from pitch one," Kazmir said. "I felt comfortable. I was able to get some quick outs and use all of my pitches." Josh Donaldson hit a two-run homer and Stephen Vogt drove in three runs for the As, who won three of four in the two-city series that began Monday night in Oakland. The As (58-34) have won seven of eight overall and have matched the best start in Oakland history. Tim Hudson (7-6) was unable to make it out of the sixth inning and lost his fourth straight decision for the floundering Giants. San Francisco has lost 15 of its past 19 home games and hasnt won consecutive games here in more than a month. "Were not playing nearly the kind of baseball we want to play, for sure," Hudson said. "We just have to improve in a number of different areas." The game ended on a replay review when As manager Bob Melvin challenged a call that Vogt pulled his foot off first base on an infield hit by Gregor Blanco. The replay showed Vogt kept his foot on the bag, leading to the final out. Kazmir (11-3) got the best of a heralded matchup against Hudson, allowing three hits and one walk. Kazmir has allowed one run or fewer in 11 of 19 starts this season for a 2.38 ERA. He is just two wins shy of matching his career best set in 2007 in Tampa Bay. "The way he moves feet and moves eyes and dots up the corners and gets people to chase pitches is really remarkable," Vogt said. "Hes doing such a great job." Kazmir retired the first eight batters before walking Hudson and didnt allow a hit until Michael Morses leadoff single to centre in the fifth. Kazmir struck out Brandon Belt and Brandon Hicks before Blanco doubled Morse to third base to snap a 19 at-bat hitless streak. Hudson then hit a drive to deep left-centre that Craig Gentry ran down on the warning track for an inning-ending catch. The As broke the game open in the top of the sixth when they put together four straight extra-base hits to open the inning against Hudson, including a two-run homer by Donaldson over the right-field wall. Donaldsons 20th homer came the same day he was picked to participate in the Home Run Derby at the All-Star game next week. "Its definitely pretty neat," he said. "It will be one of those things that adds icing to the cake. Hopefully Ill be able to put on a show." Vogt added a two-run single off Javier Lopez to give the As a 6-0 lead. Vogt also drove in a run earlier when he singled in the fifth following John Jasos two-out triple to make it 2-0. This marked the first time Hudson allowed four straight extra-base hits, according to STATS LLC. "That sixth inning got away from me a little bit, a couple bad pitches that they took advantage of," Hudson said. "They hit a couple decent pitches, I thought. It was a little bit of a weird inning. It kind of unraveled on us a little bit." Hudson allowed six runs and nine hits in 5 1-3 innings and lost for the second time in his career against the As. Hudson spent the first six years of his career in Oakland and has beaten every team in the majors except the As and Atlanta. The Giants finally got on the board in the eighth when Pablo Sandoval hit an RBI single off Dan Otero. NOTES: As All-Star OF Yoenis Cespedes went 0 for 5 with four Ks and hit into a double play. ... Home plate umpire Adrian Johnson left the game before the top of the fourth after being hit in the mask by a foul ball in the first inning. Crew chief Angel Hernandez moved from second base to behind the plate and the game finished with three umpires. ... Tim Lincecum (8-5) goes for his fourth straight win Friday when the Giants open a three-game series against Arizona. ... Jeff Samardzija (1-0) will make his second start for Oakland when the As open a three-game series in Seattle against Felix Hernandez (10-2). Arizona Diamondbacks Pro Shop . The San Antonio Spurs handled the conditions, and the team, and it sure helped when a suffering LeBron James couldnt make it to the finish. Arizona Diamondbacks Store . The Raptors have been outscored 88-66 in the opening quarter over a three-game span to begin the month of February. Their most recent loss, 109-101 in Sacramento on Wednesday, was eerily similar to Saturdays defeat at the hands of the Trail Blazers. https://www.cheapdiamondbacksjerseys.us/.com) - A pair of programs shooting for their 10th win of the season get together at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, as the NC State Wolfpack tangle with 22nd-ranked West Virginia during the challenge round of the Gotham Classic. Diamondbacks Jerseys 2019 .75 million contract for the 2014 season and avoided arbitration. The team announced the agreement on Tuesday. Cheap Diamondbacks Jerseys . The stress, the waiting, the whispers about whether he doped during his stellar cycling career, all of it ended when - after nearly two years - federal prosecutors closed an investigation of him last week without bringing any charges.MANCHESTER, England -- Ryan Giggs is starting his stint as interim Manchester United manager by urging his players to entertain the fans who have endured a miserable season. The 40-year-old midfielder was put in charge on Tuesday when David Moyes reign ended after 10 months with the defending champions in seventh place in the English Premier League. Speaking publicly for the first time since his temporary appointment, Giggs provided an insight into what he has told the squad about Saturdays match against Norwich at Old Trafford. "I trust you and I know what youre capable of, and go out there and show it on Saturday, and give the fans something to shout about," Giggs said on Friday. "Entertain them, score goals, make tackles, play with speed, play with tempo." Giggs is expected to manage the team for only the remaining four matches of the season before a more experienced successor to Moyes is appointed. "It has been a difficult week for the club and its been a bit of a whirlwind week for me but one Ive enjoyed," Giggs said. "It has been different, chaotic, and Ive been getting a little taste as its my fourth day in the job." Giggs came through the youth ranks at Old Trafford and was part of the famed "Class of 92" youth team that helped contribute to so much of the clubs success under Alex Ferguson, who retired last year after more than 26 years in charge. "Ive had to take a bit of stick (ffrom the players)," Giggs said.dddddddddddd "Things like, Where are you going to park? What do we call you? "The players have been great and the reaction in training has been sharp. Ive just tried to make things relaxed and for everyone to enjoy themselves ... lets have a good end to what has been a frustrating and disappointing season." The clubs most decorated player, who has made 962 appearances, is still in the squad and could pick himself to play against Norwich. "Ive just given myself a five-year contract," Giggs joked. "I havent done much this week but am still involved as a player as well." Giggs is being assisted by former teammates Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes as he tries to stabilize a team in turmoil. "Its the proudest moment of my life," Giggs said. "Ive supported Manchester United all my life. Its been the biggest part of my life since I was 14, when I signed schoolboy forms. Im proud, happy, a little bit nervous but just like I am as a player, I cant wait for the game on Saturday." Moyes can now prepare for the future after finally agreeing on his severance package with United on Friday. "Terms of settlement have been agreed between the club and David Moyes in respect of the termination of his employment," the League Managers Association said in a statement. "A settlement agreement is in the process of being finalized." ' ' '