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Rays-Athletics Preview

Aug 22, 2010 - 5:35 AM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Tampa Bay (74-48) at Oakland (61-60), 4:05 p.m. EDT

Dallas Braden and Matt Garza have each pitched a no-hitter in 2010, but only Braden can claim to be one of 20 pitchers in major league history to pitch a perfect game.

The Tampa Bay Rays don't need to be reminded.

The Oakland Athletics left-hander is set to face the Rays for the first time since he retired all 27 Tampa Bay batters on May 9, but Garza hopes to win the intriguing matchup and help the visiting Rays salvage a four-game split Sunday.

The clubs faced off on Mother's Day, a day that will likely go down as the highlight of Braden's career. Braden struck out only six, but cruised through the Rays' lineup three times in a 4-0 victory.

"They did everything they could, putting the ball in play," A's outfielder Coco Crisp said at the time. "But it was one of those perfect days, perfect moment situations that worked out for Dallas. It couldn't have happened to a better guy."

It took Braden (8-8, 3.44 ERA) more than two months to get another win after his gem, but he's in another groove leading up to this start.

The southpaw has gone 4-1 with a 2.65 ERA in his last five outings, including complete games against the White Sox and Mariners. He held Toronto to three hits in seven innings of a 6-2 win Tuesday.

"He used his changeup to his advantage and sprinkled just enough fastballs to both sides of the plate," manager Bob Geren said. "He's been very consistent and giving us a lot of innings."

Garza (12-7, 3.74) has been doing the same, working at least seven innings in four of five starts. He struck out a season-high 10 in seven shutout innings during a 10-1 win over Texas on Tuesday.

The recent run also included a no-hitter against Detroit on July 26, when the Tigers' only baserunner - a second-inning walk to Brennan Boesch - was erased in a double play.

The Rays had been desperate for the franchise's first no-hitter after they had been on the losing end of three no-hitters - including two perfect games - since July 2009.

"We needed one. I don't care who it came from. We just needed one for our own confidence," Garza said.

Tampa Bay (75-48) needed a 5-4 win Saturday night to avoid opening this series with three consecutive losses. The Rays trailed 4-2 entering the eighth inning, but Sean Rodriguez's two-run homer put them ahead and kept them one game behind AL East-leading New York.

"We are dripping with perseverance this year," manager Joe Maddon said. "I love that aspect about us. Even though it was really a dire looking moment and the fact they had all the momentum in their favor, I love the fact our group is playing those nine innings hard."

Evan Longoria also homered for Tampa Bay, continuing his recent tear. The All-Star third baseman is 9 for 20 with three homers and nine RBIs in his last five games.

Oakland (61-61) missed out on a chance for a fifth straight victory, which would have pulled the team within six games of AL West-leading Texas.

The A's may be able to bounce back against Garza, who is 0-3 despite a 3.70 ERA in four career outings - three starts - against Oakland.

Braden beat Garza twice last year and said he's looking forward to another matchup.

"I obviously have taken notice that he's a pretty fiery guy, a pretty fiery competitor," Braden told the A's official website. "I have a lot of respect for people who play the game with emotion."

The A's may activate closer Andrew Bailey from the 15-day disabled list after he made a rehab appearance for Triple-A Sacramento on Friday.