PITTSBURGH -- Francisco Liriano doesnt like to think about what might have been. At the moment, the present is so sweet theres no use focusing on the past. The veteran left-handers renaissance hit a new high in Pittsburghs 5-0 win over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night. Liriano (9-3) scattered four hits over seven innings, striking out six and walking one to lower his ERA to a scant 2.00 as the Pirates snapped a four-game losing streak. The victory capped a remarkable first half for the former All-Star whose career hasnt been the same since reconstructive elbow surgery six years ago. At last, it seems, at age 29 he is all the way back. Not that he wants to talk about it. "I dont think about 06 at all," Liriano said. "I just try to learn how to pitch, how to move on." That includes trying to stay focused during a lengthy rain delay of nearly three hours. When Liriano finally took the mound at soggy PNC Park just before 10 p.m., he didnt waste time. Attacking the strike zone relentlessly, Liriano kept the AL West-leading As off-balance all night. "He set the tone, he dominated," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. "He was just on top of his game." And the Pirates didnt let it go to waste. Pedro Alvarez went 2 for 4 and drove in two runs for Pittsburgh. Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte and Jose Tabata also had two hits each as the Pirates beat Oakland for the first time. Pittsburgh came in 0-11 against the As since interleague play began in 1997, but broke loose against Tommy Milone (8-8). The Pirates managed just six runs total during a four-game slide that dropped them behind St. Louis in the battle for first in the NL Central but nearly matched that total on a night they went 5 for 9 with runners in scoring position, heady territory for a team that came in hitting just .226 with runners on second or third this season. "I think we did a pretty good job of consistently pressing them and attacking them," Alvarez said. A little help is all baseballs top pitching staff needs these days. Pittsburghs 13th shutout lowered its team ERA to 3.09, easily the best in baseball. Lirianos performance marked the 24th time in 25 games a starter has allowed three earned runs or fewer. "Im just trying to learn how to go out there every fifth day and make pitches," Liriano said. He made enough to cool off the surging As. Oakland had won 10 of 13 to vault over Texas and into the lead in the AL West but Milone struggled with his command. The left-hander was coming off a season-high 8 1-3 innings of work in a win over Kansas City last week. He didnt make it out of the third inning as Pittsburghs offence showed signs of life. Marte doubled leading off the third, and Tabata followed with an RBI double. McCutchen drove Tabata home with a single, and Alvarez followed two batters later with a single to centre that scored McCutchen. That was enough for Milone, who needed 80 pitches to get through 2 2-3 innings. "They were doing a good job of putting the ball in play and falling," Milone said. "And even though they werent hit very hard, you always give yourself a chance when you put the ball in play and thats what they were doing." He was replaced by Pat Neshek, who made his first appearance since June 29. The rust showed. Pittsburgh tacked on two more runs in the fourth to give Liriano all the cushion he would need to cap a remarkable first half for one of baseballs best comeback stories. "I like the way Ive been pitching and the way weve all been playing," Liriano said. "Right now, were in good position to make the playoffs and we want to continue playing like that in the second half and hopefully make the post-season." NOTES: Former Oakland first-round draft pick Sonny Gray made his major league debut in the fifth inning. The right-handed pitcher, called up from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, tossed two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out three. ... The Pirates begin a three-game series on Friday at home against the New York Mets. Charlie Morton (1-2, 3.38 ERA) starts for the Pirates against Jeremy Hefner (4-6, 3.39). ... Oakland ends the first half of the season at home against the Boston Red Sox. Jarrod Parker (6-6, 4.04) starts for the As. Cheap Authentic Nike Shoes . -- Ken Appleby made 32 saves for his first shutout of the season to lead the Oshawa Generals to a 2-0 win over the Belleville Bulls on Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League action. Nike Shoes Canada . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No. http://www.wholesalenikeshoescanada.com/ . -- There were a lot of firsts for the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Nike Shoes On Sale Canada . The visitors took a deserved lead in the 16th minute with midfielder Yohan Cabaye curling the ball beyond Adrian from inside the penalty area. Cheap Nike Shoes Clearance . Burke is expected to miss two to three months after breaking a finger in the teams third preseason game. Tinsley, a 10-year veteran, spent the last two seasons in Utah, where the point guard averaged 3. KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston will have to wait at least another week before making his season debut after the star pass rusher was ruled out for Sundays game at Carolina.Houston had surgery to repair his left ACL in February and was removed from the physically unable to perform list this week. But the Chiefs are being careful with his recovery, and coach Andy Reid decided Friday to give him at least another week of practice to get ready for game action.Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and defensive lineman Jaye Howard have also been ruled out.Houston was hopeful that he would be allowed to play against the Panthers, even saying Thursday that he was ready to dominate. But the Chiefs would rather have him healthy for the stretch run and potential playoff games rather than rushing him back onto the field.He had a very good week. He looked good, Reid said. There are no setbacks.The Chiefs have struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks this season, so Houstons return has been eagerly anticipated. Kansas City only has 16 sacks through its first eight games, and Dee Ford has nine of those -- meaning he will almost certainly begin seeing double teams soon.Houston would demand the same kind of attention once he gets oon the field.dddddddddddd.Justin has been a mainstay here for a while now, Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said, so I think his return would be a real benefit for us in a lot of areas. Obviously from a talent standpoint on the field, hes a really good football player. I think it would have an impact on a lot of guys.Maclin hurt his groin in practice last week and attempted to play last Sunday against Jacksonville, but he aggravated the injury on the Chiefs first offensive series and did not return.Howard has been dealing with a hip injury. Kendall Reyes is expected to fill his place.The Chiefs will have quarterback Alex Smith and running back Spencer Ware back after both missed the game against the Jaguars with head injuries. Smith was inactive for precautionary reasons and Ware had not passed the leagues concussion protocol, but both practiced this week and will be ready for Sunday.Spencer has done well and has not had any repercussions of the concussion, Reid said Friday, and he has had a good week of practice.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '