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Oakland Athletics (53-60) at Toronto Blue Jays (58-56), 7:07 p.m.

(Sports Network) - Justin Duchscherer represented the Oakland Athletics in this year's All-Star Game. A.J. Burnett has been pitching like one for the Toronto Blue Jays as of late.

The two double-digit winners will go head-to-head when the Blue Jays wrap up a four-game series with the reeling Athletics tonight at the Rogers Centre.

Oakland turns to Duchscherer, who leads the majors with a 2.33 earned run average at the moment, in hopes of putting an end to a nine-game losing streak. The A's have not lost 10 in a row during a single season since a 12- game skid from April 19-30, 1994.

Duchscherer is winless (0-2) over his last four starts, although the crafty righty has allowed two runs or less on three of those occasions. He limited Boston to one run and five hits through six innings his last time out, but wound up with a no-decision in last Friday's 2-1 Oakland loss.

The converted reliever will be facing Toronto for the first time in a starting role tonight. Duchscherer has pitched against the Jays 10 times out of the bullpen and compiled a 1-0 record along with a 1.96 ERA over 18 1/3 innings.

Burnett, rumored to be potential trade bait up until last week's non-waiver deadline, has been nearly unbeatable during the past six weeks. The hard- throwing right-hander is 7-2 over his last nine starts and yielded two runs or less six times in that span. He's also won in his three most recent trips to the hill.

The 31-year-old did give up four runs over 5 2/3 innings against the hard- hitting Texas Rangers on Saturday, but still got enough offensive support to register his 13th victory of the season. Prior to that showing, Burnett limited AL East leader Tampa Bay to one unearned run in seven innings and struck out 10 during Toronto's 3-1 triumph on July 28.

Burnett also fanned 10 batters in a May 27 matchup with the A's in Oakland, although he received a loss after surrendering three runs (2 earned) in 5 2/3 innings. He is 0-1 with a 6.97 ERA in two starts versus Oakland this season and 1-2 with a 3.77 ERA over five career encounters with tonight's opponent.

He'll be attempting to pitch the Blue Jays to their first-ever four-game sweep of the Athletics. Toronto put itself in position to accomplish that feat with Wednesday's 5-1 victory that featured a strong mound effort from Jays starter Shaun Marcum.

Marcum (6-5) held Oakland hitless over the first five innings and gave up only one run and three hits in seven frames. He was staked to an early lead when Rod Barajas clubbed a three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning.

Adam Lind finished 2-for-4 for Toronto, which won for the fourth time in its last five overall games and is 13-4 over its 17 most recent outings at the Rogers Centre.

Gio Gonzalez made his major league debut for Oakland on Wednesday and was saddled with the loss. The well-regarded young lefty permitted four runs on only four hits in six-plus innings of work.

Toronto has now won five straight against Oakland after the A's took the first four clashes between these teams this season. The Athletics did sweep a three- game set at the Rogers Centre from April 8-10.


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