Los Angeles @ Oakland preview
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Last Meeting ( Jul 11, 2010 ) LA Angels 2, Oakland 5
A long and winding road trip began well for the Oakland Athletics.
The geographically incorrect journey started in Cleveland, where the A's took two of three from the Indians. Winning a series from the lowly Indians isn't anything to brag about, but it was a good way to start the trip.
The trip got even better in Texas, where the A's took two of three from the American League West-leading Rangers with 5-0 and 8-2 wins in the final two games.
Oakland then went back across the country to play in New York, filled with confidence to take on the Yankees, but that's where the fun came to a halt.
The A's were routed in the first two games by 11-5 and 9-3 scores. Oakland dropped a tough 4-3 decision on Wednesday, getting one-hit by Yankees ace CC Sabathia to complete the sweep Thursday.
Instead of having a momentum-building trip, the A's limped home with a four-game losing streak to take on the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night.
Gio Gonzalez, who will start the opener, would be getting a lot more attention if he played on a better team. The left-hander has pitched well most of the season and has been especially dominating lately. Gonzalez is 6-3 with a 2.26 ERA in his last 13 starts and has continually given his team a chance to win.
He won his only start against the Angels this season, allowing two runs and six hits in six innings. Gonzalez struck out six, walked one and gave up a home run to Hideki Matsui.
Scott Kazmir has been a dud in his first full season with the Angels. And he's returning to the scene of the worst moment in his career. Kazmir was battered for 13 runs and 11 hits in a 15-1 loss on July 10. The left-hander was the victim of an eight-run third inning and a five-run fifth.
The damage included three home runs - a grand slam by Rajai Davis, a three-run homer to the light-hitting Coco Crisp and a solo shot by Daric Barton.
The 13 earned runs allowed set an Angels record and were the most given up by a pitcher since Jason Marquis - then with St. Louis - allowed 13 earned runs on June 21, 2006.
Kazmir did defeat the A's on June 7 at the Oakland Coliseum, allowing one run and five hits in 6 1/3 innings.