Rookie Carlos Cortes hit two homers and Lawrence Butler also went deep to help the Athletics record a 3-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at West Sacramento, Calif.

Five pitchers combined on a six-hit shutout for the Athletics, who won their second straight game. The A's (68-80) had six hits.

Cincinnati (74-73) remained 1 1/2 games behind the New York Mets in the battle for the National League's third wild-card spot. TJ Friedl reached base four times on one hit, two walks and a hit by pitch for the Reds, who had won four of their previous five games.

J.T. Ginn pitched 4 1/3 innings for the A's before leaving with a right leg cramp. Tyler Ferguson (4-2) replaced him and struck out three while giving up one hit and one walk in 1 2/3 innings.

Hogan Harris pitched the seve

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