OAKLAND, Calif. -- The hot-hitting Oakland Athletics will attempt to continue their torrid pace in front of the home fans when they open a three-game series against the Houston Astros on Monday.When last seen in Oakland, the As were totaling just 26 runs in a nine-game homestand, losing six of the nine contests.When they take the Oakland field again Monday night, they will do so as one of the hottest teams in baseball.The As scored 43 runs in a four-game sweep at Kansas City to start last week, then added 22 more in taking two of three at Texas.That was a great trip, As manager Bob Melvin gushed Sunday after Oaklands 5-2 win over the Rangers. Beating Kansas City four in a row, losing just a really, really tough game (7-6 at Texas on Friday) and responding the next two games ...I cant say enough about the desire and commitment these guys still have to finishing out the season strong. You want to play for your team, you want to play for your job, and all these things combined. We have a lot of hungry guys.Outfielder Khris Davis became the first member of the As to reach 40 home runs in a season since 2000 (Jason Giambi) when he smacked a pair Sunday.Davis will take his cracks Monday at Astros right-hander Brad Peacock, against whom he has batted just one time in his career and struck out.Peacock (0-0, 2.70 ERA) pitched the final two innings of the Astros 6-0 home win over the As on Aug. 29, the only time he faced Oakland this season.Peacock has a miserable overall history against the As, having gone 1-4 with a 4.97 ERA in nine outings (eight starts). But that must seem like a different lifetime.He has allowed just one hit to a current member of the As (Stephen Vogt) in 18 at-bats.The As will counter with Jharel Cotton, who unlike As hitters, will attempt to duplicate what he did during the clubs last homestand.Cotton (1-0, 1.50 ERA) won his major league debut at home on Sept. 7, allowing just two hits and one run in 6 1/3 innings against the Los Angeles Angels.He followed that up with a no-decision on the road in a 5-4 win at Kansas City on Tuesday, when he yielded three runs (one earned) in 5 2/3 innings.Cotton will be facing an Astros team that enters the final two weeks of the regular season three games out of the final playoff spot in the American League.Houston helped itself by winning two of three at Seattle, and it now looks to take advantage of an Oakland team that has struggled at home.Every series is huge now, Astros designated hitter Tyler White said after his team clinched the series win over Seattle on Saturday night. We go out every day, try to take care of the task at hand, and well see where we stand at the end.The Astros have a 10-6 lead in the season series over the As but have lost four of six in Oakland.The schedule surely gives Houston an opportunity to move up in the wild-card standings. The Astros finish the regular season with 10 of their final 13 against the bottom two in the AL West, including seven against the last-place Angels. Cheap Hawks Jerseys . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111. Cheap Mike Bibby Jersey . Ferrer, trying to win his fourth title on Mexican soil, will next play South Africas Kevin Anderson, who eliminated American Sam Querrey,7-6 (2), 6-4. Also Wednesday, Gilles Simon (6) of France beat Donald Young of the United States 6-4, 6-3, Ukraines Alexandr Dolgopolov downed Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-4 and Croatias Ivo Karlovic defeated Dudi Sela of Israel 7-6 (4), 6-2. http://www.cheaphawksjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-omari-spellman-jersey . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Cheap Dominique Wilkins Jersey . Bradwell was scheduled to become a free agent Tuesday. Born and raised in Toronto, Bradwell is entering his sixth CFL season, with all six played for his hometown Argonauts. Cheap John Collins Jersey . Pierce was ejected in the third quarter of Indianas 103-86 win Monday. George Hill stole a bad pass and was going in for a layup, and Pierce hustled back and appeared to be trying to wrap him up. North Melbourne veteran Nick Dal Santo accepts he may not know his AFL future until after the season ends.The Kangaroos midfielder wants to play at least another season, however he is yet to receive a clear indication from the club on whether they will have him around in 2017.The 32-year-old could also be denied a Melbourne farewell, given the Kangaroos are likely to have to travel interstate for the finals after their last-round fixture at against GWS at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.Potentially we could walk off the ground not knowing, Dal Santo told RSN927.When you say it like that youve got to get your head around iit.ddddddddddddtd be nice for family and friends to come and say that was Nicks last game.Dal Santo and a number of senior players have been in contact with the club regarding their future, but they are yet to receive a definitive answer.However he said he remained physically fresh and believed he was primed to go around for another season.I actually feel really good, he said.Mentally Im happy to go again. I feel like I want to get up in the morning, get to training. I love the challenge. ' ' '