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A's look to bounce back from untimely skid

Sep 26, 2006 - 2:20 PM Oakland (90-66) at Seattle (76-81) 10:05 pm EDT

SEATTLE (Ticker) -- The Oakland Athletics' quest for a 14th American League West Division title has encountered a snag.

With its magic number for a fourth AL West crown this decade remaining at two, the A's attempt to break a three-game skid Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners.

Oakland appeared headed for a 16th consecutive victory against Seattle in Monday's opener of a three-game series here, claiming a six-run lead in the fifth inning. The Mariners rallied for seven unanswered runs, however, with pinch hitter Willie Bloomquist giving Seattle a 10-9 triumph with an RBI single in the 10th.

A's closer Huston Street surrendered three runs and five hits in the ninth inning to blow his second consecutive save opportunity. The reigning AL Rookie of the Year has allowed four runs in his last two frames after opening September with nine consecutive scoreless appearances.

Since its most recent victory Friday, the A's have had their division lead shaved from eight games to five over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Oakland and Anaheim play a four-game series to conclude the regular season.

The A's turn to Rich Harden (3-0, 3.79 ERA), who is making just his second start since June 4. The righthander returned from a sprained elbow ligament to record seven strikeouts in three impressive innings in an eventual 7-4 victory against Cleveland on Thursday.

The A's have won all seven games started this season by Harden, who allowed one run and three hits in seven innings of a 6-4 win here on April 9. In eight lifetime appearances - five starts - against Seattle, Harden has gone 3-1 with a 1.69 ERA.

The Mariners give the ball to Jake Woods (6-3, 3.88), who allowed five hits in seven innings of a 9-0 win against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. The 25-year-old lefthander is making his first career start vs. the A's, against whom he has posted a 1.35 ERA in nine lifetime relief appearances.