Oakland @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( May 3, 2013 ) Oakland 2, NY Yankees 0

Bartolo Colón faces one of his many former teams Saturday when the Oakland Athletics continue their three-game series against the New York Yankees. The 39-year-old Colón, who pitched for New York in 2011, has struggled against the Yankees in 15 career appearances (14 starts) with a 4-6 record and 6.23 ERA. Oakland has won four of its last five games, including a 2-0 victory in Friday’s series opener. The loss dropped New York to 6-2 on its 10-game homestand.

With Coco Crisp on the disabled list, Adam Rosales hit leadoff for the first time in his major-league career Friday and homered on the first pitch of the game from CC Sabathia. Rosales has started the last five games at shortstop, going 8-for-21 with three RBI. The Yankees continue to play without injured stars Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Curtis Granderson and Alex Rodriguez, and reliever David Robertson is expected to miss the entire Oakland series with a sore left hamstring.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet California (Oakland), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Bartolo Colón (3-0, 3.38 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Phil Hughes (0-2, 4.67)

Colón has been among the consistent starters in the majors so far this season, going six or more innings in each of his five starts. The Athletics have won each of Colón’s five starts, including last Sunday when he stumbled for the first time this season and allowed five runs in six innings against Baltimore. Colón has walked one batter in 32 innings, and he’s received at least four runs of support in each start.

After two shaky outings to begin the season, Hughes has allowed two runs in three straight starts. He was sharp last Sunday against Toronto when he threw a season-high 111 pitches and gave up two runs while striking out nine over six innings. The 26-year-old Hughes is 2-1 with a 6.00 ERA in five career starts against Oakland. He’s struggled in his last two outings against the Athletics, allowing 13 runs in seven innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Athletics are 6-14 all-time at the new Yankee Stadium, which opened in 2009.

2. The Yankees have won 11 of 14 at home and are 16-7 overall since starting 1-4.

3. Oakland is 14-0 when leading after seven innings.

PREDICTION: Yankees 4, Athletics 2