OAKLAND, CALIF. ? It’s as clear as the handlebar mustache on Tim Hudson’s face: The Oakland Athletics might not look great in their vintage uniforms, but good pitching will always be in fashion.

Everybody knew Oakland’s success would hinge on its starting pitching this season, but nobody could have predicted the A’s amazing string of five shutouts in nine games after the All-Star break, culminating with Cory Lidle’s sublime one-hitter in a 10-0 victory against the Texas Rangers on Friday night.

“How many zeros have we got since the break?” manager Art Howe wondered aloud after Lidle faced 28 batters in his first career shutout. “It’s pretty impressive. We’ve got a bunch of guys who know how to get the job done.”

The A’s allowed six runs in a loss at Baltimore last Sunday and 10 in Anaheim’s victory on Wednesday and just two in their other seven games since the break combined.

The streak has kept Oakland within striking distance of AL West-leading Seattle and in the thick of the wild card race with Anaheim and Boston.

Hudson wore a mustache Friday night courtesy of his teammates’ magic markers in honor of Hall of Fame closer Rollie Fingers. The A’s began a weekend of games wearing their famously garish yellow-and-green uniforms to honor their 1972 championship team.

Oakland’s current incarnation has plenty in common with the Swingin’ A’s of the 1970s, starting with a loosey-goosey clubhouse and a potent lineup. But the 21st-century A’s the Throwin’ A’s, if you will have a rotation that keeps proving itself the equal of any in baseball.

“It’s a good time for this whole staff,” said Lidle (3-8), who pitched the best game of his career against the Rangers’ dangerous lineup. “Everybody seems to be clicking and making their pitches. They’ve been good all year, and I’m trying to catch up to that.”

Actually, the five shutouts came in a span of just eight games. Oakland began with the first of Mark Mulder’s two post-break victories in which he allowed one run apiece, and Hudson threw the first shutout one night later with help from steady relievers Chad Bradford and Billy Koch.

The Athletics weren’t as impressive Saturday night, but still managed a 6-5 win against the Rangers. Lilly went five innings and gave up four runs, including home runs to Alex Rodriguez and Rafael Palmerio. Still, the Oakland bats gave Lilly enough support for another win.

The pitchers have earned an off game though.

The A’s have a 1.69 ERA since the All-Star break. Four pitchers started the five shutouts: Barry Zito started two, while Hudson, Lidle and new acquisition Lilly each made one start during the streak.

“We definitely feed off each other,” said Zito (13-3), who’s 12-1 since April. “Each guy wants to do well when another guy does well. Everybody knows about the kind of teamwork we’ve got in here, but there’s also an element of competition. You don’t want to let the other guys down.”

Lilly learned about that pride immediately. He threw six scoreless innings in his Oakland debut Monday at Tampa Bay after arriving in a trade with the Yankees.

“This staff is really showing what it’s capable of doing,” Lilly said. “Every time we go out there, we’ve got a guy on the mound who could throw a shutout, and nobody would be surprised. That’s a pretty special staff.”

The A’s had just two shutouts in their last 39 games before the break, but every member of the staff appears close to top form.

Mulder (11-5) has recovered from early-season arm troubles to reclaim his nearly unhittable form of 2001, while Zito has rarely even been challenged for three months.

Hudson (7-8) is pitching much better than he did earlier in the year, when he seemed to carry the weight of the team on his shoulders following the offseason departures of Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon and Jason Isringhausen.

Oakland’s success has made it easier for Howe to keep promising rookie Aaron Harang in the bullpen. Harang went 3-2 with a 2.84 ERA in eight starts this season before Lilly arrived.

There had been pressure on Howe to drop Lidle from the rotation in favor of Harang before Friday night, when Lidle the subject of trade rumors justified his manager’s faith. Lidle won 13 games last season, but he had won just once in his previous 12 starts before dominating the Rangers.

“I’ve always said I want to stay here and contribute to this team,” Lidle said. “This is a special situation for a pitcher. It’s great to be a part of something like this.”