After dropping the first two games of their three-game series with the Detroit Tigers, the Oakland Athletics will attempt to salvage the final game of the series on Thursday.
Oakland lost 6-2 on Wednesday and has been outscored 18-4 during the first two games of the series. Their loss on Wednesday, coupled with Baltimore's win, dropped the Athletics a half-game behind the Orioles in the American League Wild Card Standings. The A's are currently holding the second Wild Card slot with a three-and-a-half game lead over the Los Angeles Angels.
The Athletics will turn to Tom Milone (13-10, 3.81 ERA) to end their current three-game losing streak. Milone has pitched well recently, allowing two or less earned runs in four of his last five starts. He won his only start against the Tigers this season, allowing one earned run over seven innings.
Detroit will counter with Anibal Sanchez (8-12, 4.02 ERA) who is making his first career start against Oakland. Sanchez, who spent the first six seasons of his career with the Florida Marlins, was acquired by Detroit at the trade deadline. If Oakland is going to get a win out of the series, they will likely need to slow down Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera is 4-7 with three home runs and seven RBI in the series.
Thursday's game will be an early start on the West coast with first pitch scheduled for 10:05 a.m. PT. The game will not be television locally, although radio coverage will be available on 95.7 FM.
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