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Samardzija hopes to get on track against Astros

Jul 24, 2014 - 1:03 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Jeff Samardzija eyes his second win with the Oakland Athletics on Thursday when they close out a three-game series with the Houston Astros at O.co Coliseum.

Samardzija has gotten worse with each start for the A's since being acquired from the Chicago Cubs, but did not get a decision on Friday against Baltimore, despite giving up four runs and six hits over seven innings of his team's 5-4 win.

In three starts for the A's Samardzija is 1-1 with a 3.27 ERA, but has surrendered seven runs in his last two outings.

Samardzija has faced the Astros 18 times (3 starts) and is 4-2 with a 3.65 ERA.

Houston, meanwhile, will counter with righty Scott Feldman, who has lost his last two starts. Feldman lost to Chicago on Friday, as the White Sox reached him for three runs and seven hits in seven innings, dropping him to 4-7 on the year to go along with a 4.30 ERA.

"A couple pitches here and there, and it's a different outcome," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "I think the breaking ball for the home run, probably just a little bit elevated in the zone more so than he wanted, but he had the sharp breaking ball working tonight, he had the sinker working -- just made a couple pitches there they took advantage of and put good swings on it."

Feldman is 5-6 lifetime versus the A's with a 6.10 ERA in 22 games (13 starts).

Oakland evened this series at a game apiece on Wednesday, as Yoenis Cespedes clubbed two homers and drove in five runs to lead the Athletics to a 9-7 win.

"(Cespedes) has been real diligent in batting practice staying up the middle," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "His strength is using the whole field."

John Jaso went 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI and Jed Lowrie added a solo homer for the A's. Jesse Chavez (8-6) went 5 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on four hits with seven strikeouts to pick up the win.

Brad Peacock (3-7) was roughed up for seven runs on seven hits and five walks in 3 2/3 innings.

Jon Singleton knocked in two runs, while five other Astros provided an RBI apiece in the setback.

Oakland has won six of its nine matchups with the Astros this season.