The A’s will try to avoid their fifth straight loss in the homestand finale today at the Coliseum against the Los Angeles Angels.
The originally scheduled starting pitcher for Oakland was All-Star Paul Blackburn. An injury to his middle finger on his throwing hand will instead send the righty to the IL for what should be a relatively brief stay on the shelf. He could probably use the breather anyway, considering his 7.07 ERA over his past 7 games.
Taking his place on the mound will be the recently acquired J.P. Sears. Acquired in the Frankie Montas trade, this will be his first start for the Green & Gold after appearing in just one start for Las Vegas, where he pitched 4 2⁄3 innings while giving up a run and striking out five without a walk.