Oakland @ Minnesota preview
Target Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2013 ) Oakland 18, Minnesota 3
After erupting for a lopsided inning, the Oakland Athletics look to extend their lead in the American League West on Thursday, when they play the rubber match of the three-game series versus the host Minnesota Twins. Stephen Vogt belted a two-run homer to cap a 10-run fourth inning and Jed Lowrie also went deep and drove in four runs as Oakland cruised to an 18-3 triumph over Minnesota on Wednesday. The Athletics recorded season highs in both runs and hits (22) to increase their division lead over Texas to three games.
Every Oakland starter recorded at least one hit, one RBI and a run scored in the onslaught. While the Athletics have won 12 of their last 16 contests, Minnesota has dropped five of its last seven. Josh Willingham has hit safely in 10 of 11 contests against his former team, going 16-for-38 with seven homers in that stretch.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH A.J. Griffin (13-9, 3.91 ERA) vs. Twins LH Scott Diamond (5-10, 5.52)
Griffin posted his third straight win Friday despite yielding four earned runs for the third time in four outings. The 25-year-old didn't give up a homer in his last trip to the mound versus Houston but has surrendered 33 in 182 innings this season. Griffin won his lone appearance against Minnesota after allowing three runs - albeit two homers - over six frames.
Diamond makes his first start since being recalled from Triple-A Rochester, with which he posted a 2.40 ERA. The 27-year-old Ontario native, who joins a six-man rotation, struggled mightily before being sent down - posting a 1-6 mark in his last 10 trips to the mound. Diamond settled for a no-decision in his lone appearance versus Oakland despite yielding three runs on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Oakland LF Yoenis Cespedes, who went 2-for-3 with three RBIs on Wednesday, is 16-for-38 with eight RBIs in 10 games this month.
2. C Eric Fryer launched his first major-league homer in his initial at-bat with the Twins. He had played in 16 games previously with Pittsburgh.
3. Athletics CF Coco Crisp has belted nine of his career-high 19 homers since Aug. 21.
PREDICTION: Athletics 3, Twins 2