Tommy Milone eyes another win on Thursday when the Oakland Athletics play the middle test of their three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium.
Milone started his season in winning fashion last Wednesday against Seattle, but wasn't at his best, as he allowed two runs and four hits over seven innings to nail down the victory.
"If there's anybody that can recover from a little bit of a difficult start, it's Tommy," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. "He doesn't let too much get to him. He just concentrates on where he's throwing that particular pitch and doesn't get too far ahead of himself."
Milone faced the Angels three times last season and was 2-1 against them with a 4.80 ERA.
The Angels, meanwhile, will counter with righty Joe Blanton, who was not that impressive in his Halos' debut on Thursday. Blanton was banged around by the Cincinnati Reds for five runs (4 earned) and seven hits in five innings of that one.
"If my best is what it was before, it is going to be my best now," said Blanton, who pitched the first four-plus years of his career in Oakland. "I can't do better than my best, and that's what I always give."
Oakland won its sixth straight game on Tuesday, as John Jaso and Brandon Moss both homered in the seventh inning to lead the Athletics to a 9-5 win.
The A's are a perfect 4-0 on the road so far this season, their best start since 2008 when they won their first five games away from home.
Ryan Cook (1-0) earned the win after giving up just one hit over 1 2/3 innings in relief. Oakland starter Jarrod Parker was tagged for two runs on nine hits and three walks over 3 1/2 innings.
Howie Kendrick went 3-for-4 with an RBI triple and Mark Trumbo drove in one run and scored twice for the Angels, who also got one RBI apiece from Josh Hamilton, Brendan Harris and Alberto Callaspo.
With the loss, L.A. dropped to 2-5 this season.
Kevin Jepsen (0-1) was charged with the loss after allowing four runs on three hits over one-third of an inning. Starter C.J. Wilson allowed four runs on six hits while striking out seven over six innings.
"We felt that he could get us out of the seventh inning, but it went the other way," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia.
The Angels were 9-10 against Oakland a season ago and lost seven of the 10 matchups at home.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.