Los Angeles @ Oakland preview

LA Angels at Oakland

Last Meeting ( Sep 16, 2013 ) LA Angels 12, Oakland 1

The Oakland Athletics had a major letdown in the series opener against the Los Angeles Angels after sweeping the Texas Rangers over the weekend. Oakland hopes to get back to its winning ways Tuesday as it continues its three-game set against Los Angeles. The Athletics won five straight contests and 16 of 20 before suffering a 12-1 loss to the Angels on Monday.

Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo each homered and drove in three runs while C.J. Wilson tossed seven strong innings en route to his ninth consecutive victory as Los Angeles won for the sixth time in seven games. The Angels are 6-2 on their 10-game road trip and 15-3 in their last 18 away from home. Despite the setback, first-place Oakland remained 6 1/2 games ahead of Texas in the American League West with 12 to play.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), CSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Garrett Richards (7-6, 3.91 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Sonny Gray (3-3, 2.63)

Richards won his third straight start Thursday, when he allowed three runs over 6 2/3 innings at Toronto. The 25-year-old has gone 4-1 over his last five outings, yielding three or fewer runs in each of the victories. Richards, who is 0-1 lifetime against the Athletics, settled for a no-decision at Oakland on July 27 despite scattering three hits over five scoreless frames.

Gray picked up his second win in three outings Wednesday, when he allowed two runs over five innings in an 18-3 rout of Minnesota. The 23-year-old rookie has struck out seven batters in each of his last three trips to the mound and 40 in his last six starts. Gray fanned three over two frames in his lone appearance against the Angels on July 19.

WALK-OFFS

1. Gray was expected to start Monday before RHP Jarrod Parker deemed himself fit after being scratched Sunday due to illness. It was a questionable decision by Parker, who was tagged for eight runs in 4 1/3 innings and had his 19-start unbeaten streak - the longest in Oakland history - halted.

2. The Athletics' magic number for clinching their second straight division title is seven.

3. Los Angeles is 5-9 against Oakland with five games left in the season series.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Angels 2