OAKLAND - Mark Ellis etched his name in the Oakland Athletics' record books.

Ellis, a Rapid City native, moved alongside Dick Green, another Rapid City native, for most games played at second base during Oakland's game with Kansas City on Wednesday in Oakland.

Green and Ellis currently share the mark at 721.

Ellis, who is in his sixth season with the A's, has battled a sore right shoulder recently. He returned to the lineup before the Athletics opened a three-game set last weekend against the visiting Texas Rangers.

"He felt a lot better," Oakland manager Bob Geren said before last weekend's series. "He said he's good to go, and I trust how he feels."

Ellis entered Wednesday's matchup with the Royals riding a 54-game errorless streak, which is the third-longest streak of his career. The 31-year-old has just two errors on the season and boasts a .996 fielding percentage - the best mark among American League second basemen.

"He's the best second baseman in the league," Geren said earlier in the month. "There are some good ones out there, not to discredit anyone. But anyone who's seen Mark play knows how good he is."

Ellis, who was a standout with Post 22, credits his days of American Legion baseball with starting him on the path to becoming the defensive player he is today.

"It started with coach (Dave) Ploof and Post 22 because we took a lot of ground balls before and after practice," Ellis said in a June interview with the Journal.

Ellis attended the University of Florida and was a ninth-round selection by the Kansas City Royals in the 1999 amateur draft. He was acquired by the A's along with outfielder Johnny Damon and pitcher Cory Lidle in a three-team trade with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Kansas City Royals for outfielder Ben Grieve, shortstop Angel Berroa and catcher A.J. Hinch.

Green was a second baseman with the Kansas City Athletics from 1963 to 1967 and with the Oakland Athletics from 1968 to 1974. Green finished his career with a .240 lifetime batting average, 960 hits, 80 home runs, 422 RBIs and 427 runs scored.

Green still holds the A's franchise record for homers by a second baseman with 76, but Ellis is hot in pursuit with 68 entering Wednesday's game.