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RHP Haren looks to end Athletics' losing streak

Apr 28, 2007 - 1:48 PM Tampa Bay (10-13) at Oakland (11-12) 4:05 pm EDT

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) - The Oakland Athletics are losing and hurting, a bad combination for any team.

Trying to end a four-game skid, the Athletics give the ball to Dan Haren when they host the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Saturday.

The A's without four regulars, including two starters, and were shut down by James Shields in Friday's series opener. In the 4-1 loss, Chad Gaudin allowed four run and four hits in four innings, marking the first time an A's starter allowed three runs or more in 20 games.

First baseman Nick Swisher suffered a strained hamstring Wednesday and is expected to miss his second straight game. Oakland already is without pitchers Rich Harden (shoulder) and Esteban Loaiza (right trapezius muscle) and outfielders Mark Kotsay (back), and Milton Bradley (hamstring).

Haren (2-2, 1.41 ERA) has seen his team score at least three runs only once in his first four starts. That was his last outing Monday in which he allowed just one run and five hits in seven innings of a 4-2 win over Baltimore.

Oakland will try to get in the win column against Casey Fossum (2-1, 6.94), who was roughed up his last time out. Fossum got the win despite allowing six runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings of Sunday's 10-8 victory over New York.