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Athletics aim to keep slugging vs. Indians

May 12, 2007 - 1:16 PM Cleveland (20-13) at Oakland (18-16) 4:05 pm EDT

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Oakland Athletics aim to continue their offensive outburst when they take on the Cleveland Indians in the middle game of a three-game set on Saturday.

Jack Cust ignited a five-run outburst in the seventh inning with a two-run homer and Joe Blanton tossed seven-plus impressive frames as the Athletics posted an 8-2 triumph over the Indians on Friday.

One of the worst offensive teams in the league so far this season, Oakland has seen its bats come alive recently. The A's pounded out 14 hits, including two homers, in Friday's contest, one night after setting season-highs for runs, hits and homers in a 17-3 victory over Kansas City.

Oakland's hot bats now will aim to support rookie Dallas Braden (1-1, 5.23), who will be making his third career start. He will be recalled from Class AAA Sacramento to replace injured hurler Rich Harden, who is on the disabled list with a shoulder injury.

Braden made two starts in April before being sent down to the minors.

He will be opposed by Fausto Carmona (3-1, 2.97), who will look to win his career-high fourth straight start. He has allowed just three runs in his last 23 frames.

The hard-throwing righthander also spent some time in the minors, getting demoted on May 1 after Cliff Lee was activated from the disabled list. But Carmona was recalled Monday when Jake Westbrook was sidelined.

After winning seven of nine games, the Indians have lost three straight.