The 15-14 Oakland Athletics open up a three game set Tuesday night with the 19-8 Cleveland Indians, who hold the best record in Major League Baseball. The A’s will send out temporary fifth starter Tyson Ross to do battle with Indians starter Fausto Carmona. Ross is coming off a strong previous start for the A’s, while Carmona seems to be working his way back into form. Carmona is 2-3 with a 5.15 ERA but is basically working off two bad starts in six appearances. Carmona was absolutely lit up in his opening start, giving up ten earned runs in three innings. Since then he has gone at least seven innings in four of his five starts, giving up six runs over 5 1/3 innings two starts ago, but otherwise dealing.
The A’s offense continues to try and find its way after a solid weekend against the Texas Rangers. Kevin Kouzmanoff will sit for his third straight game as he is struggling quite mightily. In 77 at bats he has a line of .208/.247/.338. His primary replacement has been Andy LaRoche, who has a line of .341/.400/.463 over 41 at bats. Over the last three games, LaRoche is 6-for-11.
Oakland Athletics
1. Coco Crisp (S) CF
2. Daric Barton (L) 1B
3. David DeJesus (L) RF
4. Hideki Matsui (L) DH
5. Kurt Suzuki® C
6. Ryan Sweeney (L) LF
7. Mark Ellis® 2B
8. Andy LaRoche® 3B
9. Cliff Pennington (S) SS