It is up to Hiroki Kuroda (6-5, 2.84 ERA) to avoid the sweep tonight against Jarrod Parker (5-6, 4.68 ERA) and the As. Kuroda has taken three losses and a no-decision in his last four starts, with a 5.23 ERA over that time. Kuroda lost to the Mariners his last time out, allowing four runs in 6 1/3 innings.
Parker got the win after allowing three runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts in seven innings against the White Sox on Friday. He has a 2.43 ERA over his last six starts.
The A’s are 27-8 when Coco Crisp and Yoenis Cespedes are both in the starting lineup, and are just 13-19 without them. Both sat Wednesday because of injuries. “We always feel confident with whomever we run out there,” manager Bob Melvin said. “Obviously the results would suggest that we do very well when they’re both in there.” Cespedes tweaked his left hamstring in Tuesday’s series opener and Crisp is nursing an apparent heel injury.
Michael Pineda will throw a simulated game Friday, rather than pitching in the Minors, because the Yankees prefer that he throw under more controlled conditions. “The other day he had one long inning, and sometimes you worry about a guy that’s rehabbing,” Joe Girardi said. “This way you can build him up easier. He doesn’t have to travel. Physically he’s fine. Tuesday he threw his bullpen, and he’s ready to go.”
Notes on the game.
Mariano Rivera earned his first career win at Oakland back in 1995. In 31 career games against them he has a 1.66 ERA. Today could be his last time in Oakland, unless the teams meet in the playoffs.
A’s outfielder Seth Smith is hitting .375 with a .464 on base percentage in 28 career plate appearances against Kuroda. But he doesn’t have a home run. Not a single member of the A’s active roster has gone the distance against Kuroda.
The As have won 20 of their last 25
Game kicks off at 3:30 PM (EST) on Yes
