OAKLAND — In a fitting end to yesterday’s game, Oakland outfielder Jack Cust topped a grounder toward Kevin Youkilis at first.

Youkilis fielded the ball cleanly, stepped on first base to cement the Red Sox 5-0 win, and in the process, stepped into the history books.

A night after tying Steve Garvey for the longest errorless streak by a first baseman, Youkilis took over the record for himself, establishing a new mark at 194 games.

Youkilis was able to grab the first-base bag as a keepsake. The ball with which he recorded the final out, meanwhile, has been donated to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

“It will be great to have it and put it on display,” said Youkilis of the base. “It’s an achievement you never set out to do.”

The Sox’ first baseman hasn’t committed an error at first since July 4, 2006. He has handled 1,628 chances since without incident and is closing in on another mark — most consecutive chances without an error.

Currently, that’s held by another former Red Sox first baseman, Stuffy McInnis, who handled an even 1,700 chances without a miscue between 1921-22.

Lost somewhat, over the last two days, was Youkilis’ contributions at the plate. He had a three-hit night Tuesday in the series-opening win and yesterday added two more while scoring a run.

Long time coming

Jon Lester’s win yesterday was the first by a Red Sox left-handed starter in Oakland since Zane Smith outdueled Dave Stewart on May 29, 1995. … The Sox wanted to stay away from both Jonathan Papelbon and Hideki Okajima in the ninth inning, so Manny Delcarmen pitched the final inning, though he didn’t get a save.

smcadam@projo.com