(Best E Casino) - Young southpaw Dan Meyer makes his first start of 2008 and just the fourth of his brief career tonight, when the Oakland Athletics play the second of three weekend games with the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

The 27-year-old New Jersey native is getting the call in place of recent acquisition Sean Gallagher, who was scratched after heading back to California to have an MRI due to irritation in his right pitching shoulder.

Gallagher, who came to Oakland in the trade that sent Rich Harden to the Cubs, is expected to return next week.

Meyer was a supplemental draft choice of the Atlanta Braves in 2002 and made his major-league debut with two relief appearances in 2004. He resurfaced with Oakland and made six appearances -- three starts -- last season, and has appeared in two games from the bullpen this season.

So far in 2008, he has allowed four hits and no runs in five innings while walking none and striking out four.

Meyer has never faced the Tigers.

For Detroit, surprise right-hander Armando Galarraga goes for a 10th win in his breakout season.

The 25-year-old made three appearances with the Texas Rangers last year and had no record, but burst on the scene this season with seven wins in his first nine decisions.

He went five starts without a win from June 25 through July 18, but has since won twice and received a no-decision in three starts, allowing 12 hits and five runs in 19 1/3 innings.

He's faced Oakland twice in his career, both in relief, and has allowed one hit and three runs in four innings.

On Friday, Rajai Davis finished with two hits and two runs batted in, as the Athletics snapped a season-high 10-game losing streak with a 4-2 win.

Oakland hadn't won since July 27 against Texas, but took the victory after getting a solid outing from Dallas Braden (3-2), who gave up two runs on five hits in seven innings to pick up the decision.

Brad Ziegler threw two scoreless frames to extended his scoreless-innings streak to 37, which ties a franchise record. Mike Torrez threw 37 consecutive scoreless innings in 1976. Ziegler also picked up his first major league save.

Emil Brown homered in this opener of a three-game set for the Athletics, who ran their record against the Tigers this season to 4-0.

Kenny Rogers (8-9) took the loss after surrendering four runs - three earned - on six hits in seven innings. He also walked three and struck out five, and lost his third consecutive start.

Marcus Thames hit a two-run homer for Detroit, which has lost seven of eight. The Tigers also lost third baseman Carlos Guillen, who left after the seventh inning with lower back spasms. Guillen is doubtful for Saturday's game against Oakland.

The Athletics swept a three-game series versus the Tigers when these clubs met for the first time this season in Oakland on June 2-4. The A's have won 10 of the last 14 in the series overall.