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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. Jim Brown Womens Jersey . Burris threw two TD passes, including a key 15-yard fourth-quarter strike to Bakari Grant that effectively countered a Toronto comeback bid and led Hamilton to a 33-19 victory. Baker Mayfield Browns Jersey . -- Yogi Ferrell orchestrates pretty much everything in Indianas offence. http://www.footballbrownsnflprostore.com/Youth-Baker-Mayfield-Elite-Jersey/ . LOUIS -- Mike Smith is used to facing plenty of shots, so this was nothing new. Greedy Williams Browns Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Jim Brown Youth Jersey . The 25-year-old Japanese star has officially been posted by his club team, the Rakuten Golden Eagles. This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!Buffalo BillsOverall: 76 Title track: 107 Ownership: 53 Coaching: 83 Players: 99 Fan relations: 103 Affordability: 24 Stadium experience: 108 Bang for the buck:?34 Change from last year: -27The Bills have fallen from No. 49 overall last season, the result of drops in every category except bang for the buck. The bright side? They still rank 19th among NFL teams and are higher in the standings than some bigger-market teams (ahem, Cowboys) and several teams with newer stadiums. A cheap ticket does wonders.Whats goodFor one thing? The third-cheapest ticket in the NFL, behind only the Jaguars and Bucs. But the fans also like Terry and Kim Pegula, as judged by their 53rd-place ranking (16th in the NFL). Ask anyone on the streets of Buffalo, and theyll praise the Pegulas for stepping up and buying the team when there were legitimate bidders -- Jon Bon Jovi and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, as well as Donald Trump -- who many feared would eventually move the Bills elsewhere. Instead, the Pegulas -- who also own the NHLs Sabres -- have invested in a city that needed an economic boost. In a bottom-line business, that commitment to a town is worth ssomething.ddddddddddddWhats badOnly five NFL stadiums ranked worse than Buffalos; New Era Field came in at 108th in our rankings. Some Bills fans enjoy its college-like, no-frills atmosphere, but the facility is now 43 years old and lacks the amenities of modern venues. With six years remaining on their stadium lease, the Bills have expressed little urgency in finding a long-term solution. The venue underwent $130 million in renovations in 2014 that will keep it in working condition, but it was only a temporary fix.Whats newRex Ryan is the highest-profile coach to patrol the Bills sidelines since Marv Levy, but despite his big personality and his early success in selling himself to fans in the city, the results are lacking (his ranking dropped 41 spots this year after the excitement from his hiring). Can Ryan still motivate his players (who didnt get off easy, either, dropping 44 spots)? Yes. Can he manage a game well? Not always. Can he consistently scheme to stop opponents offenses the way he used to? Thats very much in question, and it might cost Ryan his job.Next: Oakland Raiders?| Full rankings ' ' '