(Sports Network) - The Oakland Athletics haven't had a lot of long winning
streaks this season, but the team is currently riding its best stretch of the
season. They eye a fifth straight win today when they continue their three-
game set with the San Diego Padres.
After sweeping Seattle during the week, Oakland continued to roll in Friday's
opener with a convincing 10-2 win.
It was the bottom of the Oakland lineup that really drove the offensive
eruption with the eight and nine hitters, Collin Cowgill and Cliff Pennington,
going a combined 5-for-6 with two RBI and four runs scored.
Brandon Moss also continued to swing the bat well hitting a home run for the
fourth consecutive game in the win. Moss has now hit six home runs while
batting an even .300 since being called up from Triple-A Sacramento in early
June.
Travis Blackley lasted six innings and allowed two runs on five hits to
collect his first win of the season and just the second of his career for the
A's.
Anthony Bass' recent struggles continued as he took the loss for San Diego by
allowing nine runs over 5 1/3 innings of work. Bass has not gotten a win in
his last six decisions while his ERA has risen a full two runs.
Carlos Quentin was 2-for-4 with an RBI and Chris Denorfia also had an RBI
single for San Diego which had a three-game winning streak stopped.
Taking the ball for the Oakland Athletics in game two of the series will be
Tyson Ross who returns to the team after being sent down to Triple-A
Sacramento on May 31.
The former second-round draft pick had not been the same pitcher that showed
promise by going 3-3 with a 2.75 ERA as a spot starter a season ago. Ross was
just 2-6 with a 6.51 ERA through nine starts this year after being called up
from Triple-A Sacramento in mid-April.
Ross was 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in four starts in Triple-A this season including
a 2-0 record to go with a sparkling 1.38 ERA in two starts during his two-week
demotion.
The 25-year-old has never faced the Padres but does have a 3.00 ERA in five
career appearances in interleague play.
Ross Ohlendorf will be making his first start in the majors this season when
he takes the hill for San Diego in this matchup. Ohlendorf signed a minor
league deal with the Boston Red Sox in February but opted out of the contract
on June 1. Just three days later Ohlendorf signed a one-year deal with the
Padres.
He has made two appearances out of the bullpen since joining the Padres and
has a 3.38 ERA over 5 1/3 innings pitched and also picked up a win.
Ohlendorf had spent the majority of the previous four seasons with the
Pittsburgh Pirates where he made 64 starts and compiled a 13-27 record to go
with a 4.60 ERA. A year ago Ohlendorf made only nine starts and struggled
through most of them to a 1-3 record and an inflated ERA of 8.15.
The right-hander will be making his second start and third appearance overall
against Oakland a team against which he owns a 1.23 ERA against.
The Sports Network