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Oakland Athletics

75 - 87

LA Angels of Anaheim (95-65) at Oakland Athletics (75-85), 4:05 p.m.

Sports Network | October 3, 2009

(Sports Network) - Scott Kazmir makes his final start before the postseason this evening when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim continue their series against the Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum.

Kazmir has been impressive in his five starts for the Angels, but has just one win to show for it, despite a solid 2.01 earned run average.

He hasn't pitched since September 23 when he was charged with the loss against the New York Yankees, giving up three runs and six hits in six innings. The loss dropped him to 9-9 overall on the year to go along with a 5.06 ERA.

Kazmir, who is 7-3 lifetime versus the A's, is 1-2 since being acquired by the Angels from Tampa Bay in late August.

Oakland, meanwhile, will counter with left-hander Dana Eveland, who is 2-3 with a 7.09 ERA. Eveland was roughed up by the Angels last Saturday, as he gave up eight runs (five earned) in just 3 1/3 innings. However, his bats bailed him out, but he did not factor in the decision of his team's 15-10 win.

Eveland is 0-2 in five starts versus the Halos with a 6.66 ERA.

In the opener of this three-game set on Friday, Juan Rivera hit a solo home run and Jered Weaver tossed five shutout innings, helping Los Angeles to a 5-2 win. Weaver (16-8) scattered three hits and struck out five, while Mike Napoli had two hits and drove in a run for the AL West Champions.

Kurt Suzuki finished 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI for the Athletics, who have lost five straight. Gio Gonzalez (6-7) gave up four runs on eight hits and fanned a career-high 10 batters over six innings.

Anaheim has gone 6-1 at the Coliseum so far this season and has won 10 of its 17 overall meetings with the A's in 2009.

AL West Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Los Angeles 97 65 .598 0 Lost 1
Texas 87 75 .537 10 Lost 2
Seattle 85 77 .524 12 Won 2
Oakland 75 87 .462 22 Lost 7

(updated 11.24.2009 at 7:01 PM EST)

Oakland Athletics Injuries

60 Day DL / Out for the season

Player Injury Type Injury Date
Eric Chavez back 04/25/2009
Dallas Braden foot 08/01/2009
Joey Devine elbow 04/04/2009
Josh Outman elbow 06/20/2009
Vin Mazzaro shoulder 09/08/2009