A's SP Rich Harden pitched seven strong innings Wednesday against the Blue Jays, but Roy Halladay was equally impressive and the hard-throwing Oakland pitcher took a no decision. Harden allowed just five hits and one run while striking out five. After Shannon Stewart's RBI single in the third, Harden retired nine of the next 10 batters he faced before Alex Rios reached on an error in the sixth. Harden retired 12 of his final 14 hitters. Harden gave way to Chad Gaudin after seven innings and 104 pitches with the game tied.

Harden strong for seven innings

Athletics SP Rich Harden didn't allow a hit Friday against the Red Sox until Dustin Pedroia's solo homer with one out in the fourth inning on the way to winning back-to-back starts. The hard-throwing right-hander had five of his eight strikeouts in the first three innings, which he got through on 36 pitches with 24 strikes. "I felt good early. I wish I could finish as well as I start," Harden said. "Unfortunately I only went six innings tonight." In those six innings, Harden allowed two runs on four hits and three walks.

Harden improves to 3-0

Athletics SP Rich Harden pitched seven strong innings to pick up the win Saturday at Atlanta. The right-hander allowed four hits, one earned run, walked one and struck out eight. Harden, making only his fourth start of the season and second since spending five weeks on the DL with a strained right shoulder, threw 102 pitches, 72 strikes and was ahead in the count on most hitters with a fastball clocked between 93 and 96 mph. "Great," he said when asked about the shoulder. "I felt pretty good. My first game back (Sunday at Texas, he gave up eight hits and five runs in 3 2/3 innings) it felt good. I got ahead of a lot of their hitters but threw too many pitches they could hit. Tonight, I focused on making them chase pitches when I got ahead and it worked better."

Harden fans eight in win over Braves

On Sunday at Texas, the Athletics activated SP Rich Harden from the 15-day disabled list to make his first start since April 2, but he couldn't hold a four-run first-inning lead. He allowed five runs runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 innings, walking four and striking out five in the no-decision. Harden was placed on the 15-day disabled list April 10 with a strained right shoulder.

Harden roughed up in return to rotation

The Oakland Athletics reinstated right-hander Rich Harden from the 15-day disabled list to make Sunday's start against the Texas Rangers, his first since April 2. Harden took the roster spot of outfielder Chris Denorfia, who was placed on the 15-day DL -- retroactive to Wednesday -- because of tightness in his lower back.

A's activate Harden

Athletics' Harden to start Sunday

Harden fans nine in rehab start

The A's will have a tough decision to make once SP Rich Harden comes off the 15-day disabled list, which could be as soon as Sunday at Texas. Harden struck out nine in six scoreless innings in a rehab start for Class A Stockton Tuesday. He allowed three hits, plunked three and didn't walk a batter. The A's have been discussing their options, with one starter surely to come out of the rotation to make room for Harden. Sending that pitcher to Triple-A Sacramento could be an option. "At this point, we're leaving all options open," manager Bob Geren said, acknowledging someone might wind up unhappy. "Nothing's been decided."

Harden will rejoin the A's next week

Athletics SP Rich Harden (shoulder), who threw 50 pitches in a rehab start for Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday, will make a second start for Class A Stockton on Tuesday. He might return to the majors after that.

Harden has successful rehab start

A's SP Rich Harden gave up one run and three hits in his first rehabilitation start Thursday, an encouraging sign for the injury-plagued pitcher. Harden looked sharp in his brief stint for Triple-A Sacramento. He threw 50 pitches, 38 for strikes, and repeatedly worked ahead in the count. "That's something I wanted to work on out here," Harden said. "In my last simulated game I was a little wild and didn't have much control, so I wanted to come out today and just work on hitting my spots. I felt pretty good with that." Harden, who has been on the disabled list with a strain under his right shoulder blade since April 10, allowed a leadoff double in the first inning to Mitch Maier. He later scored on a fielder's choice groundout, but Harden gave up just two more singles the rest of the way.