The Oakland Athletics will try to snap a two-game skid Saturday when they continue a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox. A five-run second inning was more than the Athletics could overcome in a 7-3 loss in Friday’s series opener. They will look to even the series Saturday with Paul Blackburn on the mound. Boston will go with recently resurgent lefty James Paxton.
Blackburn’s season got off to a delayed start and he has been up and down throughout, but he has given Oakland innings and could be a trade target for some clubs at the deadline.