Athletics at Angels
The Oakland Athletics have been making a push toward a wild-card spot in the American League, but the Los Angeles Angels have been right on their heels. Los Angeles looks to pull even with its AL West rival when it hosts Oakland on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series.
The Angels found themselves one game behind the Athletics - and 3 1/2 out of the second wild-card position - after trouncing Oakland 8-3 in the series opener on Thursday. Shohei Ohtani and Kole Calhoun each belted a two-run homer while rookie Luis Rengifo went 3-for-4 with two RBIs for Los Angeles, which moved two games over .500 (42-40) for the first time this year as it posted its fifth consecutive home victory and fourth in a row overall. Oakland had won 10 of 14 overall contests and four straight on the road before being limited to five hits on Thursday. Three of those were for extra bases, however, with Ramon Laureano and Matt Olson launching solo homers.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Mike Fiers (7-3, 4.20 ERA) vs. Angels RH Felix Pena (5-2, 4.68)
Fiers brings a nine-start unbeaten streak into Friday's contest, a stretch during which he has gone 5-0 and allowed three earned runs or fewer in each game. The 34-year-old Floridian settled for a no-decision against Tampa Bay on Saturday after giving up one run and four hits over six innings, although he struggled with his control as he issued three walks and hit three batters. Fiers is 5-4 with a 5.19 ERA in 12 career games (11 starts) versus the Angels, winning both of his previous two starts this season.
Pena has followed an "opener" in 10 of his last 11 appearances after beginning the season by making four traditional starts and will follow Noe Ramirez (3-0, 2.95 ERA) on Friday. The 29-year-old Dominican won five straight decisions and back-to-back outings before suffering a loss at St. Louis on Saturday after yielding four runs - two earned - and four hits in as many innings. Pena has yet to defeat Oakland in his career, going 0-2 while surrendering 21 runs over 16 frames in three starts and two relief appearances - including a loss in two meetings this year.
WALK-OFFS
1. Angels OF Justin Upton is riding a six-game hitting streak and has hit safely in eight of his 10 contests this season after missing the first 2 1/2 months with turf toe.
2. Oakland SS Marcus Semien has hit safely in 21 of his last 23 games after going 2-for-4 on Thursday.
3. Los Angeles activated SS Andrelton Simmons (ankle) from the 10-day injured list and optioned RHP Jaime Barria to Triple-A Salt Lake.