(My Sportsbook) - Dan Haren goes for career high win No. 15 this afternoon when the
Oakland Athletics wrap up a four-game series with the
Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Tropicana Field.
Haren, who has won 14 games each of the last two seasons, comes into today's finale on a winning note after topping the Toronto Blue Jays in his last start on Tuesday. Haren surrendered four runs and six hits in six innings of that one, as he ran his record to 14-4 to go along with an AL-best earned run average of 2.66.
The 26-year-old right-hander defeated the Rays the last time he faced them and is 4-1 lifetime against them with a 2.49 ERA in six starts.
Tampa Bay will counter with righty Andy Sonnanstine, who is 2-9 with a 6.53 ERA. Sonnanstine lost for the ninth time in his last 10 decisions on Tuesday against Boston, giving up seven runs and eight hits in five innings.
Sonnanstine, who is 0-5 in seven home starts this season, has never faced the A's.
In the third game of this set on Saturday, Jonny Gomes finished 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and a pair of runs scored as Tampa routed the A's, 14-3. Brendan Harris went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored for the D-Rays, who have won three of four overall and have scored 26 runs in their last two games.
B.J. Upton collected two hits, scored twice and knocked in a pair, Josh Paul had a pair of hits and knocked in two runs, while Carlos Pena had three hits and scored twice.
Scott Kazmir (10-8) allowed three runs on five hits with a franchise-best 13 strikeouts over eight-plus innings.
A's hurler Joe Blanton (11-9) gave up seven hits and four runs over five innings, with five strikeouts and one walk. He lost for the first time in five starts.
J.J. Furmaniak and Kurt Suzuki each knocked in a run, while Jack Hannahan homered for the Athletics, who have dropped two straight after a five-game win streak.
Oakland has lost five of its nine matchups with the Devil Rays this season, but has won five of its last nine at the Trop.