TWINS AT OAKLAND SERIES PREVIEW
Three-game series at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Today, 9:07 p.m. • FSN, 1500ESPN
LHP Francisco Liriano (6-8, 4.82) vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez (9-7, 2.67)
Saturday, 8:07 p.m. • FSN, 1500ESPN
RHP Nick Blackburn (7-7, 4.21) vs. RHP Guillermo Moscoso (3-5, 3.47)
Sunday, 3:07 p.m. • FSN, 1500ESPN
RHP Carl Pavano (6-7, 4.60) vs. RHP Brandon McCarthy (3-5, 3.52)
Twins update: Liriano is 0-2 with a 6.29 ERA in five starts in Oakland -- his highest ERA in any road park with at least that many starts. Blackburn isn't much better: 1-1, 5.72 ERA in five starts. ... The Twins are 8-9 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum over the past three seasons.
Athletics update: The Athletics averaged 3.42 runs a game and hit .233 before the All-Star break. Since then (entering play Thursday) they are averaging six runs a game and batting .321. ... SS Cliff Pennington has an 11-game hitting streak during which he's 19-for-39. ... Gonzalez is 2-2 with an 8.03 ERA in his career against the Twins but has turned into a pretty nice pitcher with an excellent curveball. ... Oakland has used the DL 25 times this season, second most in club history.
LA VELLE E. NEAL III
