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DiNardo hopes to succeed in rotation

May 29, 2007 - 2:11 PM Texas (18-33) at Oakland (25-25) 10:05 pm EDT

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) - The Oakland Athletics' rotation has been a pleasant surprise this season. But due to some injuries to some key starters, finding the fifth member of the rotation has been a bit elusive.

The Athletics will continue their three-game series with the Texas Rangers on Tuesday at McAfee Coliseum.

Injuries to Rich Harden and Esteban Loaiza has brought Oakland's search for a dependable fifth starter to Lenny DiNardo (1-1, 1.83 ERA), who will make his first career start against the Rangers. He follows rookie Dallas Braden and Colby Lewis as hurlers who are trying to complete the Oakland rotation.

The lefthander has went 1-1 with a 1.83 ERA in 11 relief appearances this season. He owns a 2.84 ERA over his career against the Rangers but has not been involved in the decision in any of the three times he has taken the mound against them.

Mike Wood (0-1, 7.02), who was just recalled on Monday, will try to improve Texas' major league-worst 7-18 record on the road. He has pitched in four games for the Rangers - including three starts - but has lasted more than four innings just once.

The righthander is 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA in three appearances - including two starts - against Oakland in his career. He went four frames in his last outing against the Angels on May 13, surrendering five runs - four earned - and seven hits in a 7-6 victory, including three homers.