Los Angeles @ Oakland preview

LA Angels at Oakland

Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2013 ) LA Angels 1, Oakland 2

The Oakland Athletics attempt to further reduce their magic number for a division title when they host the Los Angeles Angels in the rubber match of their three-game set Wednesday. After getting pounded in the series opener, Oakland pulled out a 2-1 triumph Tuesday as Josh Donaldson delivered a single with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning for his third walk-off hit of the season. With the win, the Athletics' magic number to clinch their second straight American League West crown dropped to six.

Donaldson finished with three hits as Oakland maintained its 6 1/2-game division lead over the Texas Rangers with 11 contests remaining. Mike Trout provided the only offense for the Angels with a two-out solo home run in the first inning. Los Angeles fell to 6-3 on its 10-game road trip and 5-10 against the Athletics this season.

TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), CSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Jason Vargas (8-7, 4.20 ERA) vs. Athletics RH A.J. Griffin (14-9, 3.81)

Vargas looks to rebound from a disastrous outing at Houston on Friday in which he surrendered eight runs over 4 1/3 innings. The 30-year-old has struggled since returning from a stint on the disabled list caused by a blood clot in his left armpit, going 2-3 with a 5.54 ERA in seven starts. Vargas fell to 5-6 lifetime against the Athletics on April 11, when he yielded five runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 frames.

Griffin won his fourth consecutive start Thursday, allowing one run and two hits while striking out eight in seven innings at Minnesota. The 25-year-old has lost just one of his last seven outings and three of 12 decisions. Griffin won his first two career starts against the Angels before falling on July 19, when he yielded four runs in five frames at Los Angeles.

WALK-OFFS

1. Griffin has allowed a major league-leading 34 home runs this season.

2. Trout's home run on Tuesday was his 25th of 2013, making him the first player in AL history with 25 blasts, 30 stolen bases and 100 walks in the same season.

3. Oakland has won six of its last seven games and 17 of 22, while Los Angeles has lost only four of its last 19 road contests.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Angels 2