At Oakland (Calif.) Coliseum

Day Time TV Starters

Tonight 10: 35 54, 50 Mike Mussina (7-1, 4.45) vs.

Tom Candiotti (2-5, 6.90)

Tomorrow 9: 15 54, 50 Jason Johnson (0-1, 7.50)

vs. Gil Heredia (3-4, 5.56)

Sunday 4: 05 HTS Scott Erickson (1-6, 6.02) vs.

Mike Oquist (5-3, 4.31)

Radio: All games on WBAL (1090 AM) and WTOP (1500 AM)

Athletics update

The Athletics are involved in a three-team scramble for second place in the American League West, having rebounded from a recent six-game losing streak by sweeping the Royals in a three-game series that concluded with yesterday's 6-1 victory. That was Oakland's eighth straight win at home -- its longest such run in six years. When the Athletics win, it's usually a close game, as their past 10 victories have come by a combined 23 runs. Clutch hitting has been lacking -- only a .111 average with runners in scoring position in the eight games before yesterday. Matt Stairs, whose 10-game hitting streak ended Wednesday, is 13-for-48 (.271) with 10 RBIs in his past 12 games. Oakland took two of three from the Orioles in late April at Camden Yards, the final win precipitating Ray Miller's angry outburst at his players.