Astros 3 - 4 Athletics
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Griffin hopes to continue hot start against Astros

Apr 16, 2013 - 3:03 PM

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(Sports Network) - A.J. Griffin eyes a third straight win on Tuesday when the Oakland Athletics continue their three-game series with the Houston Astros at O.co Coliseum.

Griffin has been terrific in the early going, as he has allowed just three runs in 14 innings this season. He earned the win against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Wednesday, yielding just a run and five hits in eight innings of work.

The right-hander improved to 9-1 in 17 career starts and is tied with Tim Hudson for the best record in Oakland history through 17 starts.

"He looks the same almost every time out there," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. "He keeps the ball down, throws strikes, has good subtle movement. Mechanically, he's real sound. It's pretty consistent with what we've seen from him since he came to the big leagues last year."

Oakland's bats exploded in the opener of this set on Monday, as Nate Freiman smacked a three-run homer as part of a six-run first inning in an 11-2 rout. The A's had lost back-to-back games coming in on the heels of a nine-game winning streak.

Tommy Milone (3-0) fanned six and surrendered two runs on eight hits over 6 2/3 frames, while Jed Lowrie tallied two hits, four RBI and a run scored for Oakland.

"He's not going to beat himself. He's going to make his defenders work. He works quick ... He's been the model of consistency," A's manager Bob Melvin said.

Erik Bedard (0-1) lasted just one-third of an inning in the start for Houston, which has dropped three straight contests. He allowed all six of the first- inning runs on four walks and two hits.

Hoping for better results on Tuesday, Houston will rely on 25-year-old righty Brad Peacock, who is 1-1 with a 4.82 ERA. Peacock picked up the win on Wednesday in Seattle, as he surrendered three runs and four hits in five innings.

He had lost his season debut to Oakland.

These teams met up in Houston from April 5-7, as Oakland earned a three-game sweep after outscoring the Astros, 23-9, behind seven homers.






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