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Up next: Athletics

By JOHN ROMANO

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 29, 2001

10:05 today; 3:35 Wednesday; 3:35 Thursday

SEASON SYNOPSIS: Like last season, the Athletics got off to a poor start in April. Unlike last season, the Athletics are not likely to come back and win the division. With Seattle running away in the AL West, Oakland's best hope is the wild card. The Athletics began 8-18 but got back to .500 by winning 15 of their next 20.

SCOUTING REPORT: One of the best offenses in the AL last season has yet to get on track in 2001. Johnny Damon, who was acquired in the deal that sent Ben Grieve to Tampa Bay, has had little impact in the leadoff spot, and designated hitter John Jaha has spent most of the season on the disabled list. Reigning AL MVP Jason Giambi is having another spectacular season with a .500 on-base percentage to go with 10 home runs and a .355 average. Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson have been strong, but the rest of the starting rotation has been disappointing.

PITCHING MATCHUPS: Today: RHP Tanyon Sturtze (1-4, 6.30) vs. RHP Cory Lidle (0-3, 5.28); Wednesday: RHP Albie Lopez (3-5, 4.28) vs. LHP Mulder (6-2, 3.25); Thursday: RHP Paul Wilson (2-6, 7.44) vs. RHP Hudson (4-3, 4.29).

EX-RAYS: Oakland's pitching staff should look familiar because 25 percent of it was with Tampa Bay last season. Lidle went to Oakland in the Grieve trade and has been in the rotation since early in the season. Jim Mecir was dealt to Oakland for Jesus Colome last summer and is the set-up man for Jason Isringhausen. Mark Guthrie was traded to the Blue Jays last summer and later signed with the Athletics.

SEASON SERIES: This is the first meeting between the clubs and one of two Tampa Bay trips to Oakland. The Rays have never fared well at the Coliseum, losing 11 of 15 games in the past three seasons. Tampa Bay has had more trouble with the Athletics than any other team the past two seasons. The Rays are 3-18 against Oakland since the start of the 1999 season.

WHO'S HOT: Giambi is on a six-game hitting streak. The Oakland first baseman is 12-for-23 with eight RBI during that stretch.

WHO'S NOT: Catcher Ramon Hernandez began the season slowly and continues to struggle. Since ending a career-high eight-game hitting streak, he is 1-for-22.

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