Oakland @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 19, 2013 ) Oakland 3, Tampa Bay 8

It took Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria 12 games before he recorded his first extra-base hit and he hasn’t stopped producing. Longoria looks to continue his power surge when the Rays host the Oakland Athletics in the second of a three-game series Saturday. Longoria has four home runs in the last five games, including a two-run blast in the 8-3 victory over Oakland on Friday. Ben Zobrist leads the way with 12 RBIs for Tampa Bay, which has belted 11 home runs in the last five contests.

Oakland, which is 6-1 on the road, managed 11 hits in the first game of the series and leads the majors with 99 runs. Jed Lowrie has led the way with 26 hits and is tied for the team lead with Brandon Moss with 14 RBIs, while Coco Crisp boasts a team-best five homers and owns a 12-game hitting streak.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Comcast SportNet California (Oakland), Sun Sports (Tampa)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Jarrod Parker (0-2, 10.80 ERA) vs. Rays RH Jeremy Hellickson (0-1, 4.91)

Parker has struggled in his first three starts after an outstanding first full season. The 24-year-old, who was 13-8 in 2012, has allowed 23 hits in 11 2/3 innings. Parker has struck out only four and walked eight. He gave up eight runs over 3 1/3 innings in his last start against Detroit on Sunday. Parker is 0-1 in two starts against Tampa Bay with a 4.50 ERA over 12 innings.

Hellickson suffered through illness during the week, but is expected to make the start Saturday. The right-hander registered his best of three starts Monday against Boston, allowing three hits and two runs over seven innings. Hellickson has attacked the strike zone a bit better this season with 12 strikeouts and five walks. He is 0-1 in four starts against Oakland with a 5.40 ERA over 20 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay has yet to commit an error at home in seven games but has made five in nine road games.

2. Former Rays reliever Grant Balfour has converted all three save opportunities for the Athletics in 2013 and 21 straight overall, which ties him for third in franchise history.

3. Longoria has reached safely in the first 16 games and 30 straight overall, dating back to last season.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Rays 4