Rays news and notes

The dish

Tonight: Rays at A's

When/where: 10:07, McAfee Coliseum, Oakland

Radio: 1250-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Probable pitchers

RAYS

LHP Scott Kazmir (8-5, 3.20)

A'S

LHP Gio Gonzalez (0-1, 6.00)

Rays info: 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)

Listen for

Great Scott? Although Rays starter Scott Kazmir has been struggling, the A's could make him better as he is 2-0, 0.64 against them this season and 6-1, 2.63 in his career.

Gee, Gio: A's starter Gio Gonzalez, acquired from the White Sox in January, makes his second start after being called up last week from Triple A and losing 5-1 to Toronto.

Not right: The Rays have had problems with all lefty starters, posting a 20-16 record compared to 51-30 vs. righties. But they will have Rocco Baldelli back in the lineup.

On deck

Wednesday: at A's, 10:07, FSN. Rays — RHP Andy Sonnanstine (11-6, 4.40); A's — RHP Justin Duchscherer (10-7, 2.51)

Thursday: at A's, 3:37, FSN. Rays — RHP James Shields (10-7, 3.65); A's — RHP Sean Gallagher (1-1, 4.26)

Friday: at Rangers, 8:05, FSN. Rays — RHP Matt Garza (9-7, 3.88); Rangers — LHP Matt Harrison (4-2, 7.07)

Up next

A's

Tonight-Thursday

What's new: The A's are abysmal, having lost 12 of their past 13, 21 of 24 and 29 of 38 to drop totally out of the AL West and wild-card races. Their offense remains anemic, despite the return of Frank Thomas, the starting pitching has struggled immensely since the trades of Rich Harden and Joe Blanton, and closer Huston Street was so bad he lost his job to rookie Brad Ziegler.

Key stat: Ziegler has thrown 37 innings without allowing a run, the second-longest streak ever by a reliever. (Cleveland's Al Benton had 39 in 1949 but allowed runs as a starter during that stretch.)

Connections: New Rays reliever Chad Bradford, 1B Carlos Pena and coaches Steve Henderson and George Hendrick are ex-A's.

Series history: Rays lead 4-2 this season and are 13-12 under Joe Maddon. The A's lead 65-35 overall and 36-12 in Oakland.

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer