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Rays, A's close out series at the Trop

Aug 7, 2011 - 3:01 PM (Sports Network) - Two young hurlers looking to get back on track will collide this afternoon when the Tampa Bay Rays host the Oakland Athletics in the finale of a three-game set at Tropicana Field.

The Athletics will give the ball to Trevor Cahill, who is just 1-5 in his last seven starts. The young right-hander exploded out of the gates this year, but has just three wins since his 6-0 start to the year.

The last time Cahill was in action, he did not last long. In just four innings against Seattle, Cahill was tattooed for seven runs on 12 hits. That loss came on the road and clearly pitching away from home has been a problem for the young hurler. In 12 road contests, Cahill is just 4-5 with a 5.50 earned run average.

Earlier this season Cahill tossed 7 1/3 scoreless innings against the Rays, scattering four hits, while striking out six batters. However, in his career against Tampa, Cahill is just 2-1 with an undesirable ERA of 5.00.

As for the Rays, they will look towards David Price, who has gone winless over his last three outings. Last year Price was in the running for the AL Cy Young Award, but this season the southpaw has struggled to find any type of groove.

The last time Price was in action he did toss 6 2/3 innings against Toronto, but he allowed three runs on two walks and five hits.

One of the losses during this skid came against the Athletics, as Price surrendered four runs on seven hits and four walks in six innings. In three career outings against Oakland, Price is just 1-1 with a 3.66 earned run average.

On Saturday, Brandon McCarthy tossed eight shutout innings to guide the Athletics past the Rays, 8-0.

McCarthy (5-5) scattered five hits, walked none and struck out five to pick up his third win in as many starts. He's won four straight decisions.

David DeJesus added a pair of solo homers and Coco Crisp had two hits, scored twice and stole four bases as the A's snapped a four-game skid.

Robinson Chirinos went 2-for-3 with a double and Evan Longoria added a hit for the Rays, who lost for the second time in five games.

Alex Cobb (3-2) was pegged with the loss after giving up five runs on seven hits in just 4 1/3 innings.

Following the game Cobb was taken to a local hospital after experiencing discomfort in his pitching hand.