Athletics vs. Angels
Oakland rookie outfielder Yoenis Cespedes created a lot of buzz with three homers in his first four major-league games. After a 2-for-16 stretch in which he struck out six times in 16 at-bats, Cespedes appears to be finding his stroke again. He launched his first homer since April 7 in Oakland’s 6-0 victory over the Angels on Wednesday and is 4-for-13 with five RBIs in his past three games. The last-place Angels continue searching for consistency, having lost eight of their first 12 and dropping six games behind Texas in the AL West.
Los Angeles, which made huge splashes in the offseason, turns to one of those newcomers –- left-hander C.J. Wilson -- in the series finale. Wilson has won his first two starts and has half of the Angels’ season win total. The A’s have won two in a row since snapping a three-game losing streak.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network (nationwide), Comcast Sports Net (Oakland), Fox Sports West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Oakland LH Tommy Milone (1-1, ERA 2.57) vs. Los Angeles LH C.J. Wilson (2-0, ERA 1.38).
Milone followed up eight scoreless innings in his season debut with a loss Saturday at Seattle, but didn’t pitch poorly. Making just his seventh major-league start, the left-hander gave up four hits and four runs in six innings. Wilson has been as good as advertised in his first two starts for the Angels, allowing just one earned run in victories over the Twins and Yankees. In 13 innings, Wilson has surrendered just nine hits.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Oakland outfielder Coco Crisp, who drove in the tying run Tuesday, did not play Wednesday due to flu-like symptoms. Right fielder Josh Reddick also felt the effects of the flu Wednesday, and was moved to DH Wednesday.
2. Los Angeles finalized a four-year extension with Gold Glove shortstop Erick Aybar, reportedly worth around $35 million.
3. Oakland outfielder Jonny Gomes recorded his third hit of the season Wednesday. All three hits are homers.