The Oakland Athletics look to snap a three game losing streak as they send out number one starter Trevor Cahill to face Jason Vargas and the Seattle Mariners. The A’s struggles go directly to their horrendous inability to get a timely hit. In yesterday’s 4-0 loss Oakland had runners on at least first and second with one or nobody out and they could not plate a single one of them. If this continues the A’s 2011 season could be in for a world of hurt.
Trevor Cahill will be making his fifth start of the season. He’s alternated quality starts lasting 4 2/3 innings in two separate starts and then pitching like his 2010 self in the other two starts. He’s improved his strikeout rate this season and now simply needs to regain some consistency.
Jason Vargas will also be making his fifth start of the season. In his two starts since a beatdown versus Cleveland, Vargas has gone 12 2/3 innings and given up three earned runs. In two starts and four total appearances against Oakland, Vargas is 2-1 with a 4.20 ERA.
Oakland Athletics
1. Coco Crisp, CF
2. Daric Barton, 1B
3. Conor Jackson, RF
4. Josh Willingham, LF
5. Hideki Matsui, DH
6. Kurt Suzuki, C
7. Mark Ellis, 2B
8. Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B
9. Cliff Pennington, SS
Seattle Mariners
1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
2. Chone Figgins, 3B
3. Adam Kennedy, 1B
4. Jack Cust, DH
5. Michael Saunders, CF
6. Luis Rodriguez, SS
7. Chris Gimenez, C
8. Carlos Peguero, LF
9. Jack Wilson, 2B