Oakland @ Milwaukee preview
Miller Park
Last Meeting ( Jun 3, 2013 ) Oakland 10, Milwaukee 2
The surging Oakland Athletics’ first-ever visit to Miller Park ended in predictable fashion against the reeling Milwaukee Brewers. The Athletics, who are eyeing their 16th win in the last 18 games as they continue their three-game interleague set at the Brewers on Tuesday, pounded out a season-high 19 hits in Monday’s 10-2 victory. Oakland is 8-3 in its last 11 games away from home following a five-game road losing streak from May 6-10.
Milwaukee is 7-23 over its last 30 games despite winning two straight entering this series and now turns to Kyle Lohse, who has produced quality starts in only four of his 10 outings. The right-hander’s recent struggles have mirrored the team’s woes as the Brewers have provided him with one of the majors' lowest run-support averages (2.5). One offensive bright spot in Monday’s loss was Rickie Weeks, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and a triple in his first multihit game in over a month.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet California (Oakland), Fox Sports Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH A.J. Griffin (5-4, 4.04 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Kyle Lohse (1-6, 4.37)
Griffin yielded one hit through the first five innings, but managed to record only two more outs in Thursday’s 5-2 loss against the San Francisco Giants. The right-hander surrendered all four of his runs in the sixth inning, marking the second straight outing he allowed that many in a start. Griffin – who will face Milwaukee for the first time – was 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA on the road in 2012, but is 3-3 with a 4.62 ERA away from home this season.
Lohse, who missed a turn due to elbow pain, was roughed up in Thursday’s 8-6 road loss to the Minnesota Twins. The right-hander allowed a season-high six runs and a career-high four homers, but suggested location – and not his elbow – was his biggest problem following the game. Lohse struggled mightily in May (0-4, 6.51 ERA) after going 1-2 with a 2.53 ERA in April and is 1-3 with a 5.54 ERA in seven all-time outings against the Athletics.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Athletics are three home runs shy of 12,000 in team history -- counting stints in Philadelphia and Kansas City.
2. The Brewers acquired 3B Juan Francisco from the Atlanta Braves for minor league LHP Thomas Keeling on Wednesday.
3. The Athletics are 29-4 when they score four or more runs.
PREDICTION: Athletics 6, Brewers 3