A’s Try To Bounce Back From Weekend Losses Against Astros: Game Preview
September 30, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Tommy Milone (57) pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The Oakland Athletics will take on the Houston Astros tonight at O.Co Coliseum and attempt to end a new streak that they have no interest in continuing. After losing two one-sided contests against the Detroit Tigers over the weekend, the A’s (9-4) take on Houston (4-8) after sweeping the newest addition to the AL West in their first three-game series of the season in Texas.
Tommy Milone will pitch for Oakland and go for his third win of the season after two solid in his first two outings against the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels, both wins for the A’s. Left-hander Erik Bedard will take the mound for the Astros, having appeared twice this season for Houston, once as a starter against the Mariners and once against the Rangers out of the bullpen. Altogether he’s struck out five in 7.1 innings of work with two hits and no runs.
Coco Crisp returns to the action for the A’s after missing the last two games with a groin injury, suffered in Friday’s game against Detroit. Crisp is batting .356 with four home runs, seven RBI and four stolen bases so far this season. He’ll bat in the leadoff spot for Oakland, and manager Bob Melvin will ask him to re-ignite an offense that was red-hot before the final two games against the Tigers.
Michael Taylor will make his first major league start of 2013 in left field. The 27-year-old is hitting .410 with three home runs and 11 RBI in his time with Triple-A Sacramento this season, and he grounded out in his one plate appearance yesterday after coming into the game in the seventh inning for Seth Smith.
Former A’s player Chris Carter is making his first return to the Northern California after going to Houston in a trade over the offseason. He will hit fourth as the designated hitter for the Astros Monday night. He’s hitting .277 with four home runs and seven RBI in 12 games.
Both teams will wear uniforms featuring No. 42 to honor Jackie Robinson Day. Every team in action tonight will do the same, and there’s been an extra awareness surrounding the celebration since the biopic on the 42 was released last Friday. Today marks the 66th anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball.
In light of two explosions that went off near the finish line at the Boston Marathon Monday, there will be added security at the Coliseum tonight. Details are still emerging on the incident, and several players on both teams expressed their condolences on Twitter for those in the Boston area affected by the tragedy. Curent A’s players like Crisp, Josh Reddick, Brandon Moss and Jed Lowrie played for the Boston Red Sox at one point in their careers, and there will certainly be a somber tone in the clubhouse as the event is still fresh in everyone’s minds.
LINEUPS
Oakland Athletics
1. C. Crisp CF
2. D. Norris C
3. C. Young RF
4. J. Lowrie SS
5. J. Donaldson 3B
6. B. Moss 1B
7. N. Freiman DH
8. M. Taylor LF
9. A. Parrino 2B
Houston Astros
1. J. Altuve 2B
2. J. Maxwell CF
3. J. Castro C
4. C. Carter DH
5. J. Martinez LF
6. C. Pena 1B
7. M. Dominguez 3B
8. R. Cedeno SS
9. B. Barnes RF