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Pirates-Athletics Preview

Jun 25, 2010 - 4:53 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Pittsburgh (25-46) at Oakland (34-40), 10:05 p.m. EDT

Oakland has not fared well against NL opponents this season. Facing the Pittsburgh Pirates could help them conclude interleague play on a positive note.

The Athletics look to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat by remaining perfect against the visiting Pirates on Friday night.

This weekend marks the third series between the teams, and first since Pittsburgh was outscored 31-15 while being swept at Oakland in 2004. The A's have won all six meetings between the clubs.

However, Oakland (34-40) has lost 10 of 12 - all against NL opponents - after being swept at home by Cincinnati this week. The A's are 5-10 in interleague play in 2010.

"It's tough going through a stretch like this," catcher Kurt Suzuki told the Athletics' official website. "We have to get back on the horse and come back strong."

The A's have an excellent chance to do so against the Pirates (25-47), losers of 14 straight away from home including a 6-5 loss at Texas on Thursday. Pittsburgh is mired in its longest road skid since dropping 19 in a row July 23-Aug. 30, 1985.

The Pirates blew a 4-0 lead Thursday to lose for the 15th time in 17 games overall.

"We were right there. It's hard to explain." Pirates manager John Russell said.

Looking to extend Pittsburgh's misery, Oakland must improve at the plate after scoring 20 runs in its last eight games, seven of them losses. Conor Jackson and Mark Ellis each had two hits Wednesday, but the A's fell 3-0 to the Reds.

Jackson is 10 for 29 with three RBIs in nine games since the A's acquired him in a trade with Arizona on June 15.

Oakland will face Pittsburgh's scheduled starter Brad Lincoln (0-1, 6.50 ERA) for the first time Friday.

In his third and most successful major-league start, the rookie right-hander allowed three runs in six innings of a 5-3 win over Cleveland on Sunday.

"As he goes out there and continues to relax more, his command will get better," Russell told the Pirates' official website.

While Lincoln seeks his first career victory, Oakland's Ben Sheets (2-7, 4.95) hopes to avoid a fifth consecutive loss as he again tries for his first win since beating Tampa Bay on May 8.

The right-hander allowed four runs in seven innings of a 4-3 loss at St. Louis on Saturday, dropping to 0-4 with 3.91 ERA in his last eight starts.

"There are other guys with better win-loss records that have pitched worse than I have," said Sheets, 0-2 with a 3.32 ERA in three interleague starts this season. "You take a win or loss for what it is; 2-7 (stinks) any way you draw it up. ... Your record ain't always indicative."

That's been the case with Sheets against Pittsburgh. Though he is 8-8 all-time versus the Pirates, Sheets has a 2.92 ERA in 22 starts against them.

Pittsburgh's Garrett Jones, who has never faced Sheets, is batting .423 in his last 14 games after going 3 for 4 on Thursday.