Oakland @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 14, 2018 ) Oakland 4, San Francisco 3

The Oakland Athletics attempt to go into the All-Star break with six consecutive series victories when they visit the San Francisco Giants on Sunday for the rubber match of their three-game interleague set. Oakland avoided its first series loss since enduring a three-game sweep by Houston from June 12-14 by edging the Giants 4-3 on Saturday.

Pinch-hitter Mark Canha kept the Athletics' hopes of extending their streak alive with a two-run homer in the seventh inning that erased a 3-2 deficit. Stephen Piscotty recorded two doubles over four at-bats in the victory to improve to 11-for-34 during his eight-game hitting streak for Oakland, which is 7-0-1 in its last eight series. San Francisco fell to 5-4 on its 10-game homestand as it scored twice in the fourth inning to grab the lead, only to relinquish it three frames later. Giants rookie Steven Duggar has impressed during his first stint in the major leagues, hitting safely in each of his first five career contests while going 4-for-8 with three RBIs and five runs scored in the first two games of the Bay Bridge Series.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Sean Manaea (8-6, 3.44 ERA) vs. Giants LH Andrew Suarez (3-5, 3.75)

Manaea lasted only four innings in a no-decision at Houston on Tuesday, yielding three runs and seven hits while throwing 83 pitches. Despite the brief outing, the 26-year-old native of Indiana extended his unbeaten streak to seven starts, but he didn't factor in the decision in four of those turns. Manaea has made two career starts against the Giants, recording a win and a loss while surrendering six runs - two earned - and 15 hits in 8 2/3 innings.

Suarez has given up one run in each of his last four outings and a pair in both of his previous two turns but has posted just a 1-1 record in that stretch. The 25-year-old Floridian rookie is coming off a no-decision against Chicago on Monday as he limited the Cubs to one run on three hits and four walks in six innings. Suarez, who has posted a 2.91 ERA at home as opposed to a 4.65 mark on the road, was tagged for five runs over four frames in a loss at Houston on May 22 in his only interleague start.

WALK-OFFS

1. Athletics 2B Jed Lowrie (leg) was kept out of Saturday's starting lineup a day after being injured in a collision with Piscotty but struck out as a pinch-hitter.

2. San Francisco C Buster Posey is swinging a hot bat, going 7-for-15 with three RBIs over his last three contests.

3. Oakland activated Daniel Mengden (foot) from the 10-day disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Nashville along with Ryan Dull and designated fellow RHP Santiago Casilla for assignment while recalling 2B Franklin Barreto and purchasing the contract of RHP J.B. Wendelken from the Sounds.

PREDICTION: Giants 6, Athletics 2