Oakland @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( Apr 25, 2010 ) Cleveland 0, Oakland 11
Don't look now, but one of the hottest teams in baseball was one of its worst a week ago.
After stumbling through a seven-game losing streak on their last road trip, the Cleveland Indians ride a five-game winning streak as they open a series tonight with the Oakland Athletics.
A week ago the Indians looked like a team lost in the wilderness. They lost the last two games in a series against Pittsburgh, helping the lowly Pirates break an 11-game losing streak.
Cleveland also was swept in a three-game series in Philadelphia before losing the first two games in Cincinnati.
However, a victory on Sunday ended the streak and the Indians swept a four-game series from Toronto this week. Their pitching staff held the team that leads the majors with 115 home runs without a homer in the four games.
Matt LaPorta, called up from Triple-A Columbus on June 27, has homered in three straight games. LaPorta began the season with the Indians, but was moved between first base and left field and didn't get regular playing time.
Russell Branyan, signed early in spring training, was traded to Seattle on Saturday, opening up first base and an everyday spot in the lineup for LaPorta.
Mitch Talbot, who leads the Indians with eight wins, gets the start. The rookie right-hander began the winning streak when he held Cincinnati to one run and three hits in seven innings. Talbot, acquired from Tampa Bay for catcher Kelly Shoppach in December, made the team in spring training because he was out of minor league options.
Oakland is also hot, having won five of six. The A's had a four-game winning streak snapped with a loss Wednesday night in Baltimore, but bounced back with an 8-1 victory Thursday night.
The A's are a bit banged up going into the series. Outfielders Coco Crisp and Conor Jackson missed Thursday's game with leg injuries. Both are considered day-to-day.
First baseman Daric Barton left the game in the fifth after trying to break up a double play. He bruised both legs and it's unclear if he will be able to play in the series opener. Barton has played in all 80 games.
Gio Gonzalez will look for the same success he had against the Indians on April 25 in Oakland. He pitched seven shutout innings and the A's rolled to an 11-0 win. The left-hander got a no-decision in his last start against the Pirates.