Oakland @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 29, 2012 ) Oakland 8, Cleveland 4

Having taken over sole possession of the American League wild-card standings, the Oakland Athletics will look to wrap up a four-game sweep of the stumbling Cleveland Indians in Thursday afternoon's series finale. The Athletics have beaten the Indians seven straight times, including a three-game sweep earlier this month. Winners of 11 of its last 13 games overall, Oakland holds a one-game lead over Baltimore in the wild card chase and is within 4 1/2 games of AL West leader Texas.

Cleveland has dropped four straight in a spectacular August flameout that has seen the club absorb losing streaks of nine and seven games. The Indians have lost 13 of 14 but at least showed a pulse in Wednesday's 8-4 defeat by snapping a 24-inning scoreless streak and ending a nine-game stretch in which they failed to score more than three runs. Justin Masterson has halted two losing streaks this month and will look to do it again when he takes the mound Thursday.

TV: 12:05 p.m. ET, None

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Jarrod Parker (8-7, 3.52 ERA) vs. Indians RH Justin Masterson (10-11, 4.60)

Parker received a no-decision last time out at Tampa Bay, allowing three runs on seven hits, but he was masterful in his previous outing against the Indians. Parker scattered six hits in eight scoreless innings against Cleveland to snap a three-start losing streak. He is winless in his last three road outings and is 4-3 with a 5.04 ERA in 10 away starts this year.

Masterson came through with a big performance last time out, giving up one run on seven hits against the New York Yankees as the Indians snapped a nine-game losing streak. He was hit hard in his previous start at Oakland, getting roughed up for seven runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. That loss dropped Masterson to 1-4 with a 6.89 ERA in nine appearances (five starts) against the Athletics.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland fell to 5-22 in August, marking the fourth time in franchise history - and first since 1938 - that the Indians have lost at least 22 games in a month.

2. Oakland 1B Chris Carter extended his hitting streak to five games and RBI streak to four while RF Josh Reddick is 9-for-18 during his four-game hitting streak.

3. Indians C Carlos Santana was benched during Wednesday's game by manager Manny Acta because he looked "sluggish" running to first base.