Oakland @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 28, 2014 ) Oakland 3, Houston 7

The Houston Astros look to continue their power surge when they host the division-rival Oakland Athletics for the middle contest of their three-game series Tuesday. Houston emphatically ended its five-game losing streak in the opener, belting four home runs en route to a 7-3 triumph. Former Athletic Chris Carter hit a three-run shot, Jason Castro snapped a tie with a two-run blast and solo homers by Eric Krauss and Matt Dominguez capped the long-ball bonanza.

Stephen Vogt got in on the fun with a solo blast of his own and added a double as the Athletics outhit Houston 9-7. But that did not prevent Oakland from falling to 2-2 on its six-game road trip and having its lead over the Los Angeles Angels in the American League West slip to 1 1/2 games. The Athletics are 7-4 against the Astros this season, outscoring Houston 75-43 while reaching double digits in four of their seven victories.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), CSN (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Jeff Samardzija (4-8, 2.80 ERA) vs. Astros RH Scott Feldman (4-8, 4.60)

Samardzija improved to 2-1 in four starts since being acquired from the Chicago Cubs as he limited Houston to one run and five hits over eight innings on Thursday. The 29-year-old All-Star is 2-0 with Oakland when allowing fewer than two runs after failing to record a decision in six such outings with Chicago. Samardzija has posted a 5-2 record and 3.20 ERA in 19 career games - four starts - against the Astros.

Feldman was on the losing end of Thursday's matchup with Samardzija as he surrendered six runs on nine hits and five walks in 5 1/3 innings. It was the third straight defeat for the 31-year-old, who has yielded 18 runs over 23 2/3 frames in four outings since beating Detroit on June 29. Thursday's loss dropped Feldman to 5-7 with a 6.34 ERA in 23 career games - 14 starts - versus the Athletics.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland placed OF Craig Gentry on the disabled list with a fractured right hand and reached down to Double-A Midland to bring up OF Billy Burns, who made his major-league debut by lining out to right field as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning Monday.

2. Houston All-Star 2B Jose Altuve is riding a 10-game hitting streak.

3. The Astros and Athletics rank fourth and fifth in the major leagues with 115 and 110 home runs, respectively.

PREDICTION: Athletics 4, Astros 1