A pair of AL West also-rans are on the diamond in search of a late-season victory out in the Golden State. The Oakland A’s are on the road as they play the middle game of a three-game set with the Los Angeles Angels Wednesday night. Oakland dropped the rubber game of their three-game series with the Mets at home as they were drubbed 13-4 in the series finale Sunday afternoon. Los Angeles won the rubber game of their three-game set on the road against the Twins as they pounded their way to a 10-3 victory Sunday afternoon. This article was published prior to the conclusion of the opening game of the series Tuesday night at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.
Oakland lost for the third time in four games as they were pounded in the finale of their three-game set with the Mets at home Sunday. The A’s entered Tuesday last in the AL West, 44.5 games behind the Astros for the top spot. They have been eliminated from the playoff picture. On Sunday afternoon, Oakland got two hits each from Conner Capel (run, three RBI) and Jordan Diaz though it wasn’t nearly enough. Seth Brown (his 25th) and Capel (his third) each went deep in a losing effort for the A’s. JP Sears (6-3) was roughed up on the mound as he took the loss, allowing six runs on eight hits with two walks and two strikeouts over 3.2 innings of work.
Adrian Martinez is on the mound for Oakland as he makes his 11th start of the season in this contest. He comes in 4-5 with a 6.10 ERA, a 1.521 WHIP, 17 walks and 44 strikeouts over 48.2 innings of work this season . Martinez didn’t factor in the decision in his last start, which came at home against the Mariners Thursday. He threw five innings, allowing five runs on six hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in a game the A’s lost 9-5. In his last three starts, Martinez is 0-2 with a 10.54 ERA, a 2.20 WHIP, six walks and 15 strikeouts over 13.2 innings of action. This marks his first career start against the Angels in this, his 11th career major league start. As a result, this marks his first career start at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Prior to being recalled, Martinez was 5-7 with a 5.72 ERA, a 1.416 WHIP, 33 walks and 100 strikeouts over 89.2 innings in 18 starts for Triple-A Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League.