Oakland @ Seattle preview
T-Mobile Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 8, 2012 ) Oakland 6, Seattle 1
The Oakland Athletics apparently don't plan on fading down the stretch. After being swept of a three-game series at home by the Los Angeles Angels, the Athletics attempt to complete a sweep of their own when they meet the Seattle Mariners in the finale of their three-game set Sunday at Safeco Field. Oakland has posted back-to-back 6-1 victories over Seattle after scoring a total of five runs in its series with Los Angeles.
The Athletics, who have won 11 of 14 contests, sit atop the American League wild-card standings, one-half game in front of both Baltimore and the New York Yankees. George Kottaras has provided Oakland with a spark, hitting five homers and driving in 16 runs in 13 games since being acquired from Milwaukee. Kottaras has gone deep four times in his last four contests. Seattle has lost five of its last eight games, scoring a total of 16 runs in that span. The Mariners have crossed the plate more than two times only twice in those eight contests.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), Root Sports (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Tommy Milone (11-10, 3.94 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Jason Vargas (14-9, 3.85)
Milone has lost four of his last six decisions, including a setback against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday in which he surrendered five runs and 10 hits over three innings. The 25-year-old won both of his previous two outings, yielding a total of one run and nine hits over 14 frames. Milone, who will be making his fourth start against the Mariners this season, lost at Seattle on April 14 after giving up four runs in six innings before allowing one run over a combined 14 frames in the next two meetings.
Vargas has faced Oakland four times already this year, going 2-0 with one complete game and a 1.98 ERA. The 29-year-old veteran ended a three-start winless streak Monday, when he limited Boston to one run and six hits over seven innings. Vargas, who is 5-3 in 12 home starts, owns a 5-4 record in 13 career games - 11 starts - against the Athletics.
WALK-OFFS
1. Oakland OF Josh Reddick's single in the ninth inning Saturday was his first hit in 19 at-bats.
2. Mariners LHP Oliver Perez has not allowed a run since July 8, a span of 13 1/3 innings over 18 appearances.
3. Seattle has scored two runs or less in six of its last eight games.