Oakland @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 17, 2011 ) Detroit 1, Oakland 5

THE STORY: The Athletics look to change their luck on the road Tuesday when they begin a two-game series against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Oakland has lost five in a row and 23 of 28 away from home. The Athletics took three of four against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after entering the All-Star break with a four-game losing streak. Detroit has struggled at home of late, dropping six of its last nine. The Tigers have, however, won five of eight overall.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), FSN (Detroit)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Guillermo Moscoso (3-4, 2.16 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Rick Porcello (8-6, 4.78 ERA).

Moscoso is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to make his ninth start. The 27-year-old is just 1-1 over his last four outings, but has allowed a total of one earned run in that span. Moscoso ended a personal four-game losing streak in his last start, tossing seven scoreless innings in a 2-0 triumph over Seattle on July 6. Porcello has won each of his last two outings, including a victory at Kansas City on July 8 in which he yielded one earned run in 5 1/3 innings. He has not fared well against the Athletics during his career, going 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in five starts. The 22-year-old settled for a no-decision at Oakland on April 15 despite allowing just one run in six frames.

ABOUT THE TIGERS (50-45): Detroit has scored only eight runs over its last four games. Center fielder Austin Jackson has not played since July 10 and has not started since July 7 due to a sore left wrist. All-Star closer Jose Valverde has converted all 25 of his save opportunities, giving him the third-longest streak in team history. Carlos Guillen is 2-for-7 with an RBI in two games after missing the first half of the season due to a knee surgery.

ABOUT THE ATHLETICS (42-54): Oakland's pitching staff allowed just 25 hits in winning three of four against the Angels. In Sunday's 9-1 triumph, the Athletics scored seven runs before an out was recorded in the first inning, a club record at the Oakland Coliseum. Conor Jackson's grand slam Sunday was Oakland's American League-fewest 52nd homer. The club has hit two home runs or fewer in each of its last 67 games. Ryan Sweeney has gone 168 straight games without an error, a record for an Oakland outfielder.

FINAL PITCH: Valverde's saves streak eclipsed his 24-conversion run from last season. He is one away from tying Todd Jones (2000) for the second-longest streak in club history and seven shy of Guillermo Hernandez's franchise record of 32 straight set in 1984.