Cleveland @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 17, 2012 ) Cleveland 4, Oakland 6

It was not long ago that the Cleveland Indians were one of the teams battling for a playoff spot in the American League. A rough stretch has turned them over to the role of spoilers, however, with the playoff-hopeful Oakland Athletics up next. The A’s thwarted the first spoiler attempt on Friday, erasing a four-run deficit to pull out a 6-4 win and move to within a half-game of the second wild-card spot.

Emerging from its own slump, Oakland will try to pin down its first three-game winning streak of the month on Saturday. One of the themes of the A’s season has been unexpected contributions from up and down the roster. On Friday it was Josh Donaldson’s turn, and the 26-year old went 4-for-4 with a pair of RBIs in his first career four-hit game. Cleveland was over .500 as recently as July 26 but has gone 4-16 since. The Indians have nine series remaining against playoff-hopeful teams, including the current three-game set, and are trying to be a factor.

TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland) CSCA (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (0-1, 8.56 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Bartolo Colon (9-9, 3.55)

Kluber has made three starts since taking over Derek Lowe’s vacated spot in the rotation. The 26-year old rookie has yet to earn his first major-league win and was lit up for six runs for the second time in three outings on Sunday against Boston. Kluber lasted only 3 1/3 innings in that start. The right-hander made a relief appearance against the A’s during a brief 2011 callup, allowing two hits in 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Colon had a run of three straight starts without allowing an earned run come to an end last time out, when he was shelled for six runs (five earned) on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings at Chicago. The burly right-hander has surrendered fewer than two earned runs in six of his last nine starts. Colon, who came up with the Indians, has fared well against his original franchise in the past, owning a 5-3 record with a 3.56 ERA in nine starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland RF Josh Reddick did not start Friday’s game after undergoing a second dental procedure in the last week. He pinch hit in the eighth inning Friday and is expected to be back for Saturday.

2. Indians LF Shelley Duncan hit his first career grand slam on Friday, marking his first hit since Aug. 8. Duncan is just 4-for-32 over his last 10 starts.

3. The A’s are spending the weekend celebrating the 10th anniversary of 2002’s 20-game winning streak. There will be a pregame ceremony on Saturday.