The A’s begin their final road trip of the first half tonight, traveling to take on a Texas Rangers club that’s only four games out of a wild card slot.
Infielder Vimael Machin will bat leadoff for the third time in four games. He went 2-for-4 in yesterday’s loss, including his first career home run, and has his clearest shot at playing time with the A’s. It looks like manager Mark Kotsay is rewarding him with another assignment at the top of the lineup. Machin and the rest of the lineup will be going against Spencer Howard, a former top prospect who’s struggled in the majors for the past few seasons, especially this year.