A’S AT BALTIMORE SERIES PREVIEW
Friday: LHP Rich Hill (3-3, 2.53) vs. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (1-3, 5.20) CSNCA 4:05 p.m.
Saturday: RHP Jesse Hahn (1-0, 0.00) ) vs. RHP Mike Wright (1-2, 5.40) CSNCA, 4:05 p.m.
Sunday: RHP Kendall Graveman (1-3, 4.40) vs. RHP Chris Tillman (3-1, 2.81) CSNCA 10:35 p.m.
A’s update: Oakland has been the American League’s poorest-performing team at home with a 5-11 record, but the A’s, who are starting a three-city, nine-game trip, are one of the most successful A.L. road teams at 8-5. That’s not going to continue, however, if the club doesn’t improve on the mound and at the plate. A’s starting pitchers are 2-9 in their last dozen games (combined home and road), and the club has lost five of its last six road games in Toronto and Detroit. After a strong finish in April to end that month with a 13-12 record, the A’s have lost their first four games in May, matching their longest losing streak of the season. ... Much of the A’s offense of late has come from Khris Davis, the left fielder hitting .295 with six homers and 13 RBI in his last 15 games. Jed Lowrie continues to lead the team in RBI with 15 while mostly batting second. He’s hitting .393 in his last 16 games. Outfielder Coco Crisp, unavailable Wednesday due to a medical issue, will be with the team in Baltimore, as will Danny Valencia. The third baseman is coming off the disabled list after being sidelined by a left hamstring issue. ... The A’s announced that right-hander Chris Bassitt will have Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Friday in Cincinnati. It will be performed by Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the same surgeon who did Tommy John surgery on A’s left-hander Felix Doubront last month. Bassitt is out for the season.
Orioles update: It will be reunion time for A’s first baseman Yonder Alonso this weekend. Orioles’ third baseman Manny Machado is not only a longtime friend but his brother-in-law. Machado, by the way, is is hitting .355. Mark Trumbo, who showed signs of being a dominant offensive force with the Angels and Diamondbacks, seems to be coming into his own with eight homers and 22 RBI. Both figures rank in the top five in the A.L. The Orioles are one-half game behind the Red Sox in the American League East while the Rays are fourth in the division. Baltimore has done most of that at home. The Orioles are 10-4 in Camden Yards, the A.L.’s best home winning percentage. The Orioles are waiting for All-Star center fielder Adam Jones to get going. He’s hitting .205 when April and May historically have been his best months. With a 3.75 team ERA heading into Thursday’s game against the Yankees, the Orioles are eighth in ERA in the A.L., two spots ahead of the A’s, who are 10th at 3.89.