Rangers at Athletics
The struggling Oakland Athletics hope to avoid their sixth loss in seven contests when they continue their four-game series against the visiting Texas Rangers on Saturday. Oakland won 11 of its first 14 games this month before hitting the skids and look to halt a three-game slide during which it has been outscored 20-7.
The Athletics fell out of the second wild-card spot in the American League on Friday as they suffered a 5-2 loss after scoring the game's first two runs. Marcus Semien went 2-for-4 and crossed the plate twice on Friday, giving him five runs scored during his four-game streak. Willie Calhoun went 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBIs while Asdrubal Cabrera recorded three hits and drove in two runs on Friday for the Rangers, who have won three of their last four contests following an eight-game losing streak. Cabrera has posted back-to-back three-hit performances and three in his first seven contests during Texas' 10-game road trip.
TV: 9:07 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Southwest (Texas), NBCS California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Adrian Sampson (6-7, 5.19 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Homer Bailey (8-7, 5.42)
Sampson has lost each of his last three starts, including a setback at Seattle on Monday in which he surrendered six runs and eight hits over 5 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old Washingtonian made three relief appearances in between his last two turns, two of which were scoreless efforts. Sampson has made two starts against Oakland at home this season, yielding seven runs over four frames in a no-decision on April 14 before allowing one run and four hits en route to victory in his first career complete game on June 8.
Bailey split his first two starts after being acquired from Kansas City, allowing two runs over six innings in a victory over Seattle on July 17 before being battered for nine runs on eight hits (three homers) and three walks over two-plus frames in a loss at Houston on Monday. The 33-year-old Texan has pitched well at Oakland Coliseum, going 2-1 with a 3.32 ERA in three career turns. Bailey has yet to defeat Texas as he has surrendered 10 runs - nine earned - on 14 hits and six walks over eight innings in two starts, both of which were losses.
WALK-OFFS
1. Calhoun has belted six homers in 27 games this year after recording three in 48 contests over his first two major-league seasons.
2. Texas sent LHP Yohander Mendez (elbow), who has yet to make his season debut, to the Arizona League Rangers (Rookie) for a rehab assignment.
3. Oakland OF Stephen Piscotty (knee) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday.