HOUSTON -- Oakland Athletics rkie right-hander Daniel Mengden, a Houston native drafted by his hometown franchise, will get an opportunity to show the Astros what theyre missing Friday at Minute Maid Park.Mengden (1-4, 3.48 ERA) will make his first career start against the organization that selected him in the fourth round of the 2014 draft. Mengden was packaged along with catcher Jacob Nottingham in the deal that sent veteran left-hander Scott Kazmir to Houston on July 23, 2015.Selected from Triple-A Nashville on June 11, Mengden will make his sixth start of the career. His 31 strikeouts are tied for second in franchise history (since 1913) for the most by a pitcher over his first five appearances (Tim Hudson, 33 in 1999). Mengden, a product of nearby Texas A&M, began the season at Double-A Midland and finished 2-0 with a 0.78 ERA before his promotion to Nashville on May 1.With the Sounds, Mengden went 3-1 with a 1.39 ERA in seven starts. His ERA was the sixth-lowest in the minors at the time of his promotion.And while Mengden will get the first crack at helping Oakland (37-49) make it two in a row over the Astros following the Athletics 3-1 win on Friday night, the Oakland bullpen will also play a key role.Right-handers John Axford, Ryan Dull and Ryan Madson combined to work three perfect innings in the series opener, with Axford first relieving lefty Ken Hill and notching two strikeouts in the seventh inning. Axford had struggled of late, blowing two saves while posting an 18.00 ERA over his last six appearances.That was great to see, Athletics manager Bob Melvin. Weve seen now how effective he can be. Hes gone through a little bit of a tough stretch, obviously. I think lking at his history hes had some stretches through the course of the season where he hasnt been as effective and he works hard to get through it, but I think this was a big game for him to pitch in a close game like that, get a 1-2-3 inning. He lked gd.Right-hander Collin McHugh (5-6, 4.50 ERA) will make his 18th start of the season for the Astros. He allowed four runs on five hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings in his lone appearance against the Athletics this season but did not factor in the decision. McHugh is 4-1 with a 3.23 ERA in his career against the Athletics, a mark that includes six starts.While the Astros (46-40) will get an opportunity to improve to 12 games over .500 against right-handed starters, they fell to 11-16 against southpaw starters, a surprising record given the right-handed presence of George Springer, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa in their lineup.We can certainly hit left-handed pitching, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. Weve got guys who can do it. Weve got a few guys hitting under their career norms, and thats never gd. Halfway through the season, I dont think we can declare that we cant hit lefties. I think weve got some left-handed pitchers we arent racing up to the batters box to face. 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Radwanska, making her debut in the Seoul tournament, hit eight aces in a match that lasted 1 hour, 4 minutes at Olympic Park tennis stadium. "It was definitely a very gd match -- I was playing really gd tennis," Radwanska said. kiesshop.com/Blake-Griffin-City-Edition-Jersey/" target="_blank">Blake Griffin Jersey . Pert has formerly spent time as an assistant coach with Cardiff City, Coventry City, and Bahrain mens national team. "Martyn is a highly-respected coach with experience at the top levels in England," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson.​Liverpl must focus on getting back into the Champions League next season rather than harbouring hopes of mimicking Leicester or Tottenhams title push, claims Jamie Carragher. Its been a bit of a freak season, Carragher said on Saturday Night Ftball. Thats why Tottenham are in for the title and why Leicester are there.For Liverpl next season its about trying to get back into the Champions League. If its another strange season, fingers crossed! Fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp claims Jurgen Klopp needs to fix his sides defensive issues to have any chance of challenging near the top next season.They need to sort out their defence, said Redknapp. Theyve got to find a dominant centre-back, it is a problem for them. Going forward theyve got a lot of quality in their team.Carragher reserved special praise for Philippe Coutinho, who scored Liverpls goal in their 1-1 draw with Tottenham and gave their right-back Kyle Walker a difficult time while deployed a left-midfield position. Jurgen Klopp says Liverpl allowed Tottenham back into the game Hes been Liverpls outstanding player for the last 18 months, said Carragher.dddddddddddd Hes now lking like one of the top players in the league.He hasnt got the pace or strength to take on a Walker, he has to beat him with a skill or trick him. 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