Los Angeles @ Oakland preview
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Last Meeting ( Aug 31, 2015 ) LA Angels 5, Oakland 11
The Los Angeles Angels look to snap their losing streak and remain in the thick of the American League wild-card race when they visit the Oakland Athletics for the middle contest of their three-game series Tuesday. The Angels opened the set with their fourth consecutive defeat, an 11-5 setback that kept them 3 1/2 games behind Texas for the second AL wild-card spot.
Erick Aybar went 3-for-3 with two RBIs as Los Angeles fell to 2-5 on its nine-game road trip. Mark Canha homered and drove in four runs while Danny Valencia and Jake Smolinski collected three RBIs apiece for the Athletics, who have won three in a row. Valencia continues to swing a hot bat, as he has gone 11-for-27 with four multi-hit efforts during his seven-game hitting streak. Oakland has won three straight at home against the Angels and is 4-3 at O.co Coliseum in the season series.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), CSN California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Matt Shoemaker (6-9, 4.48 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Cody Martin (2-3, 5.40)
Shoemaker returned from a brief stint in the minors to dominate the Tigers in Detroit on Thursday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out five over 7 1/3 scoreless innings in the victory. The 28-year-old native of Michigan was tagged for 13 runs over 7 1/3 frames in his last two starts prior to the demotion. Shoemaker failed to last six innings in any of his four outings versus the Athletics earlier this season, going 0-2 while yielding a total of 17 runs in 18 1/3 frames.
Martin will be recalled from Triple-A to make his first career start in place of Chris Bassitt, who is battling shoulder soreness. Acquired from Atlanta last month, the 25-year-old rookie from California last appeared in the majors for the Braves on June 8, when he yielded two runs on one hit and one walk without recording an out. Martin surrendered 13 runs and 24 hits — four homers — over 21 2/3 innings in 21 relief appearances.
WALK-OFFS
1. Canha leads all American League rookies with 54 RBIs.
2. Los Angeles has lost 26 of its last 37 contests and is below .500 (65-66) for the first time since June 10.
3. The season series between the AL West rivals is even at seven wins apiece, with five games remaining — including three in Los Angeles at the end of the month.
PREDICTION: Angels 9, Athletics 3