The Cincinnati Reds visit the Oakland Athletics for a three-game series in a battle of slumping teams looking to get back on top of their respective divisions.
The Oakland Athletics (34-37, 21-13 home) return home after a disastrous nine-game road trip. They lost seven of nine on the road trip, but they are coming off of a win that they hope will help them start building momentum.
The Cincinnati Reds (37-33, 14-16 away) book-ended a single win with three-game losing streaks. They have just 13 runs in their last seven games and are hitting .204 as a team. A loss tonight would give them their longest losing streak since April.
Getting the start for the A’s will be Gio Gonzalez (6-5, 4.21 ERA). The lefty has lost his last two starts after giving up 10 runs and 14 hits. In six home starts this season, he is 4-2 with a 2.90 ERA. This will be his first career start against the Reds.
On the mound for Cincinnati will be Mike Leake (5-1, 3.02 ERA). Like his Oakland counterpart, Leake has struggled in his last two starts. He followed up a 4 1/3 no decision with his first loss in the Majors. In four starts on the road this season, he is 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA.
