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(Sports Network) - A three-game weekend set continues at McAfee Coliseum this evening as the Oakland Athletics play host to the Texas Rangers.

A.J. Murray is slated to make his first start of the season for Texas after going 2-0 with a 4.00 ERA in five starts at Triple-A Oklahoma. Last season, the lefty pitched in 14 games for the Rangers, starting twice, and performed fairly well.

Murray has faced Oakland three times in his career, all as a reliever, and the results have not been good. He owns a 7.11 ERA against the Athletics.

Opposing Murray for the A's will be Chad Gaudin, who is 3-1 this season with a 3.00 ERA. Gaudin has earned an opportunity to join the rotation because of injuries to a few Oakland starters, and he has been outstanding. On Monday, the righty won his third straight start by holding the Angels to one run in six innings. He was 8-3 with a 2.88 ERA before the All Star break last season, so this success is not a total surprise.

Gaudin is 2-5 all-time against Texas with a 6.13 ERA.

Last night, Texas earned a 4-3 victory over Oakland, but while the Athletics remain tied with the Angels for first place in the AL West, the Rangers are still in last place.

In Friday's contest, the Rangers' bullpen pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings to compliment Vincent Padilla's efficient start. Padilla (4-2) earned the win, lasting 5 2/3 innings while giving up three runs -- one earned -- on five hits and four walks for Texas, which has taken three straight decisions.

Jamey Wright, Eddie Guardado and Joaquin Benoit pitched scoreless innings in relief, while C.J. Wilson picked up his seventh save with a perfect ninth.

Ian Kinsler, Michael Young and Brandon Boggs plated a run apiece for the victors.

Joe Blanton (2-5) was the unfortunate loser once again in his seven-inning start for Oakland, which committed four errors in the setback. The right- hander allowed seven hits and four runs -- just two earned. Jack Cust hit his third home run of the season, and Bobby Crosby doubled twice and registered two runs batted in.

Texas held a slight 10-9 edge over Oakland last year, but dropped six of 10 at McAfee Coliseum.