NEW YORK (AP) – Frank Thomas hit a two-run homer, Kirk Saarloos combined with three relievers on a six-hitter and the surging Oakland Athletics beat the New York Yankees 5-2 Saturday.

Thomas hit his 16th homer with two outs in the first after Mark Kotsay opened the inning with double off Mike Mussina (8-2). The A’s added two more in the fifth on a two-run single by rookie Mike Rouse and went on to their eighth victory in 10 games.

Saarloos (3-4) allowed solo homers by Jason Giambi, his 18th, in the fourth inning and rookie Kevin Thompson, his first in the majors, in the fifth.

New York lost its third straight. The A’s (31-31) have won four of five to move back to .500 for the first time since May 22.

Relief pitcher Brad Halsey escaped a jam of his own creation in the seventh, when the Yankees had runners at second and third with one out. But Johnny Damon grounded back to the mound and Derek Jeter struck out, ending the threat.

Halsey got two outs in the eighth, and Chad Gaudin retired Thompson on a bases-loaded grounder to preserve the lead. Huston Street threw a perfect ninth again for his second save in two days and 13th in 16 chances this season.

After Giambi’s homer cut Oakland’s lead to 2-1, second baseman Robinson Cano bobbled Adam Melhuse’s grounder for an error to start the fifth. Marco Scutaro’s double put runners at second and third.

Rouse, who went 3-for-3 in his major league debut Friday night, slapped a soft single to center to score Melhuse and Scutaro.

Thompson’s homer made it 4-2 in the fifth, but the A’s added an unearned run off reliever Ron Villone in the eighth with the help of an error by Giambi at first base. Dan Johnson blooped an RBI single into short left field.

Mussina allowed four runs – three earned – and five hits in six innings. He walked one and struck out seven.

Saarloos gave up two runs and four hits in six innings with three walks and two strikeouts. He earned his first win over the Yankees.

Notes: Jeter started his second consecutive game as the designated hitter after missing three games with a bruised right thumb. … Thomas’ homer off Mussina was his first in 76 career at-bats against the right-hander. … Giambi’s homer was his second in two games and third in five games.

AP-ES-06-10-06 1657EDT