Oakland @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2012 ) Oakland 6, LA Angels 5

Ervin Santana often comes up big against Oakland, and Los Angeles hopes the right-hander does so again when the Angels host the Athletics in Wednesday’s third contest of a four-game series. Oakland won the first two games of the series but Santana has a 14-4 career mark against the Athletics and tossed 7 2/3 shutout innings in his last outing against Oakland on May 15. The Athletics have won five straight and 14 of 17 games.

Oakland has won 11 consecutive road games and can match the franchise record with a victory on Wednesday. The Athletics posted a 6-5 victory on Tuesday with Jerry Blevins earning his second career save by inducing Howie Kendrick to hit into a game-ending double play with the tying run on third. The Athletics lead the American League wild card competition and are just three games behind the first-place Texas Rangers in the AL West. Starter A.J. Griffin attempts to become the first pitcher in franchise history to start his career with six straight victories. The Angels are 2 1/2 games out of the second AL wild-card spot. Los Angeles had won 11 of 12 before losing the past two nights. Mike Trout has 15 games of three or more hits this season.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet California (Oakland), Fox Sports West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH A.J. Griffin (5-0, 2.21 ERA) vs. Angels RH Ervin Santana (8-11, 5.21)

Griffin hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any of his 10 starts. He is 2-0 with a 1.46 ERA in two starts since returning from a shoulder injury that prompted him to be placed on the disabled list. Griffin gave up one run and six hits in 5 1/3 innings against the Seattle Mariners in his last outing.

Santana has a 2.05 ERA in 25 career appearances (23 starts) against Oakland. He is 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in two starts against the Athletics this season. Santana has won four of his last five decisions. He matched a season high with 10 strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers in his last outing but took a no-decision despite allowing just two runs and four hits in 6 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Athletics OF Yoenis Cespedes ended a 21-game homerless streak by going deep on Tuesday.

2. Kendrick went 0-for-5 Tuesday and has grounded into 23 double plays this season.

3. Oakland SS Cliff Pennington has a .478 average in 23 career at-bats against Santana.