Los Angeles @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 27, 2013 ) LA Angels 1, Oakland 3

When the Los Angeles Angels conclude their four-game series against the host Oakland Athletics on Sunday, slugger Albert Pujols will be back home awaiting the results of an MRI exam on his left foot. The Angels could be without Pujols for an extended period, considering he’s been playing with plantar fasciitis all season. “It’s sorer than anything he’s dealt with or he’s been playing through,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “We’ll just see what happens.”

The Angels are 12 games back of Oakland in the American League West. The Athletics keep rolling along, winning 22 of their last 28 home games, and catcher Derek Norris has ended a lengthy slump by hitting .333 this month. Oakland is winning despite hitting just .197 over its last 15 games, with both Josh Donaldson and Yoenis Cespedes struggling since the All-Star break.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSW (Los Angeles), CSCA (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Tommy Hanson (4-2, 4.75 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Jarrod Parker (6-6, 3.79)

Hanson made a successful return from the disabled list against Minnesota last Tuesday, allowing one earned run over 5 1/3 innings while tying a season high with eight strikeouts. “That’s the best stuff I’ve seen Tommy have, definitely since he’s been here,” Scioscia said. Hanson faced the Athletics on April 29 at Oakland, yielding two runs (one earned) in six innings.

Parker has lowered his ERA in 15 consecutive starts, but he’s looking to end a streak of five straight no-decisions. The 24-year-old is 5-1 with a 2.39 ERA over his last 13 starts since May 11. Erick Aybar is 8-for-13 when facing Parker, who is 2-2 with a 3.16 ERA in six career starts against the Angels, including 1-0 with a 4.82 ERA in two outings this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels have lost six of their last eight road games.

2. The Athletics are 21-12 in one-run games and lead the American league in extra-inning wins with seven.

3. Eight of the Angels’ last nine home runs have been solo shots.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Angels 2