David Phelps (1-4, 4.88 ERA) hopes Friday the 13th brings him some luck as he takes on Sonny Gray (6-2, 2.83 ERA) and the A’s. Phelps will be looking to bounce back from a rough outing in his last start against Kansas City. He allowed a career high 10 hits and matched a career high by allowing seven runs in only 5 2/3 innings. He has allowed 13 runs in his last two starts and is winless in his last four.
Eleven of Gray’s 13 starts have been quality ones. However, his last outing was one of the exceptions. He gave up five earned runs in just 5 1/3 innings against Baltimore taking a loss. In his last three starts he has 10 earned runs. Despite the rough patch, he has been consistent for the A’s. “I just think it’s the approach we’ve been able to take into every game,” Gray said of his consistency. “We keep it fairly simple. Like Curt Young said last year, ‘Don’t let a moment get too big.’ Playing at Vandy, I understand it’s a different environment than other colleges, and different than other experiences people have in their lives in getting here,” he said. “They build you for success, off the field as well as on the field. It’s a place that gets you ready.”
Shawn Kelley is back with the team after not seeing action since May 6th due to a lumbar spine strain. “I still had some fatigue and maybe a little bit of stiffness in the first couple of bullpens, but once the sim game went great and the two rehab outings, I felt nothing,” Kelley said. “My arm felt better than I thought it would, too, because it had been a long time. I wasn’t really sure how my arm would hold up bouncing back, but it went good.”
Notes on the game
Jacoby Ellsbury’s hitting streak is at 16 games.
The A’s have won seven of nine meetings against the Yanks since 2013.
Oakland leads the Majors with 20 outfield assists, nine by Yoenis Cespedes.
First pitch at 10:05 PM on Yes
