The Phillies head into Oakland on a hot streak, having won three of four from a strong Arizona club to open the week while clawing above the .500 mark (34-33) for the first time since mid-May; Thursday's 5-4 victory marked the 100th managerial victory for skipper Rob Thomson. 

 

The Phils currently sit in third place in the NL East while trailing the division-leading Braves by eight games. The three-game series in Oakland will wrap up this road trip before the Phils come home for an off day on Monday. 

 

The club opens a pivotal set with the Braves on Tuesday. 

 

There's no denying that things have been rough this year for the Athletics (19-51), but the club has played better as of late, winning seven of its last 10, including a split of a four-game set this week with the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays. 

 

Despite their recent success, the biggest story line involving the Athletics involves their potential move to Las Vegas. 

 

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo on Thursday signed the bill pledging $380 million in taxpayer money toward a $1.5 billion stadium for the Oakland Athletics to move to Las Vegas, leaving only the approval of Major League Baseball to finalize the first relocation of a franchise in nearly two decades.

 

The A's have called Oakland home since 1968, following a 13-year stint in Kansas City. The organization also has a historical connection to the area, originating in Philadelphia in 1901 and remaining through the 1954 season.

 

 

Friday: RHP Taijuan Walker (6-3, 4.67) vs. LHP JP Sears (1-3, 4.15) 

Saturday: TBD vs. RHP James Kaprielian (2-6, 6.89) 

Sunday: RHP Zack Wheeler (5-4, 3.73) vs. LHP Hogan Harris (2-0, 4.84) 

 

Oakland's BB% (12.3) is the best in baseball over the last seven days, yet their .094 ISO ranks last in the Majors. 

 

The Phillies and Athletics had played yearly exhibitions when the two clubs called Philadelphia home, but those games ended when the A's departed from Philly following the 1954 season. With the creation of interleague play, the Phils and A's rekindled their rivalry in 2003. The Athletics jumped ahead with six runs and chased Brett Myers after four innings. Jimmy Rollins finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs in the loss, while Placido Polanco hit a solo shot in the ninth. Barry Zito recorded the win for the A's, surrendering two runs on five hits over six innings. 

 

The Athletics avoided a series sweep with a victory behind a strong outing from rookie Daulton Jefferies who tossed five shutout innings. The Phillies collected just three hits on the day while Bailey Falter took the loss, surrendering two runs over 2 1/3 innings in relief.