Oakland @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 10, 2011 ) Oakland 4, Toronto 8

THE STORY: Brett Lawrie found a way to make the Toronto Blue Jays and their fans forget all about a sign-stealing controversy. Now Lawrie and the Jays will try to make it two in a row as they entertain the Oakland Athletics on Thursday in the finale of their three-game series. Brad Mills closes out the set for Toronto against Oakland's Guillermo Moscoso.

TV: 12:37 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Guillermo Moscoso (4-6, 3.69 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Brad Mills (1-1, 3.65).

Moscoso has had little success away from Oakland this season, going 1-5 with a 4.17 ERA in eight games (six starts) on the road. His struggles were on display last time out as he was charged with four runs on six hits over 4 2/3 innings on the way to an 8-4 loss to Tampa Bay. The 27-year-old has allowed two runs in two career innings versus Toronto. Mills did just enough in his last start to escape with a victory, surrendering three runs in 5 1/3 innings as Toronto shaded Baltimore 5-4. The 26-year-old southpaw struggles to keep the ball in the park - he has allowed eight career homers in 42 1/3 innings - but opponents are batting only .217 against him in two starts since he was recalled from Triple A Las Vegas in late July.

ABOUT THE ATHLETICS (52-64): Thursday's matinee marks the end of a frustrating nine-game road trip for the Athletics, who opened it by getting swept by the punchless Seattle Mariners and saw their three-game winning streak halted in Wednesday's 8-4 loss at the Rogers Centre. Things won't get much easier for Oakland, which faces American League West-leading Texas next before getting a modest reprieve with a three-game set against Baltimore. From there, it's back-to-back series against the Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. With Oakland entering Thursday only 12-17 against the East, that stretch could be an ugly one.

ABOUT THE BLUE JAYS (59-57): Lawrie needed only five games to record his first career grand slam, and he wasn't shy about celebrating it. The 21-year-old pumped his fist as he rounded the bases Wednesday, then high-fived nearly everyone in the Toronto dugout. Lawrie's heroics proved to be a welcome distraction for the club, which was forced to address allegations of sign stealing stemming from an article which appeared on the front page of ESPN's website. General manager Alex Anthopoulos labeled the accusations ridiculous, as did several current and former Blue Jays players.

FINAL PITCH: Toronto is batting a collective .234 in matinee action this season, fifth worst in the majors. The Athletics hit at a .252 clip during day games.