Baltimore @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 25, 2013 ) Baltimore 10, Oakland 2

The Oakland Athletics have lost all the momentum from a 12-4 start and are suddenly searching for answers. The Athletics look to break out of their slump in the second of a four-game series against the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Friday. Oakland has lost six of seven after dropping a 10-2 decision to the Orioles Thursday and giving up 15 hits. The Athletics have surrendered eight runs or more in four of the recent losses. Baltimore is going in the opposite direction with six wins in its last eight contests.

The Orioles received hits from all nine spots in the order and matched their season-high for runs in the first game of the series. Chris Davis homered after going 1-for-11 in the series against Toronto and Adam Jones had three hits to raise his average to .359. Baltimore is second in the American League in runs scored behind Oakland.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), Comcast SportsNet California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles LH Wei-Yin Chen (1-2, 3.38 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Tommy Milone (3-1, 4.26)

Chen has put together four solid starts to start the season, managing only one victory Saturday. The left-hander allowed one run over six innings to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-1. Chen has struck out 11 and walked seven overall. He won both outings versus the Athletics last season, giving up one earned run in 12 2/3 innings. Newly acquired Casper Wells homered against Chen.

Milone’s three-game winning streak ended Sunday when he surrendered three runs in the first inning and six overall (four earned) in 6 2/3 innings. The left-hander, who has struck out 21 and walked five, allowed eight runs in his first three starts. Milone beat Baltimore last September, allowing one earned run over 6 1/3 innings. Davis has a homer in three at-bats against Milone.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore C Matt Wieters has thrown out 7-of-11 potential base stealers and Athletics catchers are 1-for-16.

2. Oakland CF Coco Crisp has scored 20 runs, three shy of the franchise record for the month of April set by Jose Canseco in 1988.

3. Orioles OF Nate McLouth has reached base 15 of his last 25 at-bats.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Orioles 4