(My Sportsbook) - The Oakland Athletics, who are tied with the Seattle Mariners atop the AL West standings, are set tonight for the first of three against New York.

Miguel Tejada went 3-for-4 with a three-run homer to lead Oakland to an 8-5 victory over Chicago on Thursday. Eric Chavez collected two hits, including a solo homer for the Athletics, who have won four of their last five contests.

John Halama (2-2) got the win after he allowed just two runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings. Halama struck out four and walked a pair. Keith Foulke worked 1 1/3 innings and picked up his ninth save of the season.

The A's remain at home, where they are 14-4 this season, for just three more contests before hitting the road for six straight.

Oakland won two of three over the Yankees last weekend in the Bronx. The Athletics have taken four of the last six meetings between these clubs dating back to last August, and they are 7-2 in their last nine regular season home games versus the Yanks.

Oakland will give the ball to 27-year-old righthander Tim Hudson this evening. Hudson hasn't registered a decision in his last three starts, including a no- decision versus the Yankees last weekend. Hudson was very good versus the Yanks, giving up three hits and one run over eight frames. He struck out four and walked two in the contest.

Hudson is 0-2 with a 3.43 ERA in six career starts versus the Yankees. The Columbus, GA native has been reached for 39 hits and 16 runs over 42 innings of action against New York.

Despite his strong effort yesterday, Tejada is still batting .196 this season.