Athletics defeat Cardinals to avoid three-game sweep

(Photo credit: Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports)

Paul Blackburn remained unbeaten with a fourth straight effective start, Shea Langeliers contributed a ground-rule double to a three-run fifth inning and the Oakland Athletics salvaged one win in their three-game series against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals with a 6-3 triumph Wednesday afternoon.

Esteury Ruiz smacked his second homer in three games and Tyler Nevin had th