Oakland @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 20, 2013 ) Oakland 0, Tampa Bay 1

Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon, never shy to try something different, welcomed a disc jockey into the team’s clubhouse to play music before Saturday’s game. The Rays were in rhythm for the second straight night, setting up a chance for the three-game sweep of the visiting Oakland Athletics on Sunday. Maddon said he wanted his players to chill out and play without fear of making mistakes. The Rays have held the Athletics, who came into the series averaging six runs, to three in the series.

Oakland must refocus after matching its season low with only three hits in the 1-0 loss Saturday. The Athletics need outfielder Josh Reddick to find his 2012 form when he belted 32 home runs. Reddick has gone deep only once and is batting .102. Coco Crisp has done the job in the leadoff spot with a .417 on-base percentage and a team-best five homers.

TV: 1:40 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet California (Oakland), Sun Sports (Tampa)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Tommy Milone (3-0, 3.86 ERA) vs. Rays RH Roberto Hernandez (0-3, 5.79)

Milone has battled his way to three wins despite surrendering 19 hits in 18 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old beat Houston 11-2 in his last start Monday, allowing eight hits and two runs over 6 2/3 innings. Milone has struck out 15 and walked four. The left-hander is 1-1, giving up 10 earned runs in 11 innings against Tampa Bay. Rays designated hitter Shelley Duncan hit a grand slam off Milone last season while with Cleveland.

The Rays are waiting for Hernandez to have a break-out game. The right-hander has given them 18 2/3 innings in his first three starts and opponents are batting .257 against him, which gives them some optimism. Hernandez allowed three earned runs in 5 1/3 innings against Baltimore on Tuesday in his last start. He is 4-7 against Oakland lifetime with a 5.14 ERA over 68 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland 1B Brandon Moss has hit safely in his last 15 road games, dating back to last September.

2. Tampa Bay OF Matt Joyce has six hits during a five-game hit streak, including the game-winning homer Saturday.

3. Crisp, who saw his 12-game hitting streak end Saturday, is 8-for-20 and has a .500 on-base percentage career against Hernandez.

PREDICTION: Athletics 6, Rays 3