OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Eric Milton had the type of performance he's come to expect.

Milton pitched three-hit ball for eight innings and the Minnesota Twins beat the Oakland Athletics 3-0 Saturday for their third straight victory.

"I'm capable of pitching like that every time out," said Milton, who allowed 18 earned runs in his previous three outings. "I can do it. I just forgot the last couple times."

Milton, who pitched a no-hitter against Anaheim last season, was helped by three double plays and never allowed a runner past first base.

"Milton threw awesome today," Oakland's Matt Stairs said.

Minnesota's Brian Buchanan had three hits in his second major league game. The Athletics lost their fifth in a row.

Denny Hocking went 3-for-3 with a double and is 9-for-13 in the first three games of the four-game series.

"I don't know why I'm doing so well," Hocking said. "I'm just getting good pitches to hit. If anything, I've worked extra hard on trying to put the ball in play."

Milton (3-1) struck out seven and walked two, and Eddie Guardado finished with a perfect ninth for his second save.

Milton allowed a first-inning single to Jason Giambi, then didn't allow another hit until Ramon Hernandez led off the sixth with a single. Giambi later got Oakland's other hit.

"I was getting the calls on the outside of the plate," Milton said. "They just missed getting hits today. I was holding my breath a couple times."

Mark Mulder (2-1) lost for the first time in seven career starts after allowing three runs -- one earned -- on seven hits in seven innings.

"It was a battle. I wasn't hitting my spots," Mulder said. "I didn't ever get comfortable out there."

The Twins scored three times in the second inning, helped by Mulder's wild throw.

"I rushed myself and made a ridiculous throw," Mulder said. "If I don't throw that ball away, it's 1-0 and a completely different game. It's easier to come back from 1-0 than 3-0."

Matt LeCroy doubled home the first run and Jay Canizaro hit a one-out comebacker. Mulder trapped LeCroy between second and third, but made a wild throw that let a run score and Canizaro advance to third.

Hocking drove in Canizaro with a single.

Notes: Athletics DH John Jaha, on the disabled list since April 24, is expected to go on a rehab assignment Monday. ... Milton had allowed six home runs and 18 earned runs in his previous 12 1/3 innings in May. ... Twins RHP LaTroy Hawkins has not allowed a run in eight of his last nine appearances and has a 0.59 ERA in that span. ... Matt Stairs is hitting .081 (3-for-37) against left-handers this season, worst in the majors. ... Jason Giambi has reached base safely in his last 20 games.