Athletics at Angels
The Los Angeles Angels struggled through the first two stops of their 10-game road trip but look to conclude the trek in impressive fashion as they attempt to complete a three-game sweep when they host the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday. Despite the absence of Mike Trout, the Angels have outscored the Athletics 11-3 in winning the first two contests and remain one game behind Minnesota for the second wild-card spot in the American League.
C.J. Cron was the hitting star for Los Angeles in Tuesday's 8-2 triumph, driving in four runs with his eighth career two-homer performance, while Martin Maldonado has gone 4-for-7 with a solo blast and three runs scored over the first two games of the series as the Angels have gone 4-5 on their trek. Trout, who is mired in an 0-for-17 slump, missed both contests with a stiff neck but hopes to be in the lineup on Wednesday. Oakland entered the series having swept a three-game set against Texas but is in danger of suffering the same fate as it has dropped three straight on the road. Matt Joyce has hit safely in seven of his last eight contests after reaching the 20-homer plateau for the first time in his career on Tuesday.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, NBCSN California (Oakland), FSN West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Kendall Graveman (4-4, 4.24 ERA) vs. Angels RH Parker Bridwell (7-2, 2.89)
Graveman's return from a stay on the disabled list that lasted two-plus months was a rough one, but he has righted the ship as he's allowed only five runs in 20 innings over his last three starts. The 26-year-old native of Alabama tamed Texas on Friday, striking out six without issuing a walk while limiting the Rangers to one run in seven frames despite giving up nine hits. Graveman is 2-2 with a 3.19 ERA and one complete game in nine career starts against the Angels, including three this season.
Bridwell continued to impress on Friday but suffered his first loss in nine starts after giving up two runs and six hits in seven innings against Houston. The 26-year-old rookie from Texas has yielded fewer than three earned runs in four consecutive turns and 10 of his last 12 while issuing more than one walk only once in his last eight outings. Bridwell, who will be facing Oakland for the first time, has posted a 4-0 record and 2.00 ERA on the road but is just 3-2 with a 3.56 ERA at home.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Angels placed RHP Bud Norris (knee) on the 10-day disabled list, transferred RHP Huston Street (shoulder) to the 60-day DL and purchased the contract of OF Eric Young Jr. from Triple-A Salt Lake.
2. Oakland rookie 1B Matt Olson has gone 4-for-8 with two home runs and three RBIs in his last two games.
3. Los Angeles sent 3B Yunel Escobar (oblique) and RHP Garrett Richards (biceps) on rehab assignments to Single-A Inland Empire and Salt Lake, respectively.