Elephant Rumblings: A’s stave off sweep to wrap homestand

MLB news roundup

Happy Monday, Athletics Nation!

The Oakland Athletics wrapped up their third to last homestand at the Coliseum yesterday with a win over Frankie Montas and the Brewers that ended a tough series on a high note. Yesterday’s win prevented a sweep by the Brew Crew, but it marked the end of a grueling 4-5 homestand through which the A’s offense appears to have lost some steam, scoring a high of five runs just once through the nine game stretch.

One bright spot in all of this was the A’s pitching. Both the rotation and bullpen were quite consistent overall, allowing three or fewer runs in most games. JP Sears and Joe Boyle struggled against the Brewers, though Boyle showed some toughness in battling through five innings on Saturday after things had nearly gone off the rails for him in the second.

The same day, Brent Rooker got his 30th home run to reach the milestone for a second straight season and join a select group of Oakland A’s slugging greats.

Hopefully Rooker’s shot will spur a fall awakening at the plate for the A’s, who will finish August on the road with a series in Cincinnati, and then to Arlington. Despite their slight cooling off, the A’s are now two games up on the Angels in the AL West, and just four back of the third place Rangers, who seem very unlikely indeed to successfully defend their World Series title.

Have a splendid week, AN.

A’s Coverage:

• Athletics salvage series, beat Brewers 4-3
• A’s roster moves: Hernaiz optioned, Wilson ready for return
• Scouting, Baseball Gods, Team Up To Laugh At Lottery
• Injuries & Moves: Prospect Kurtz likely to go on IL; Wilson progressing
• A’s Brent Rooker keeping the power on with back-to-back 30-HR seasons ($)
• Why Mark Kotsay Stuck with Joe Boyle
• A’s fan recalls remarkably catching three foul balls in same inning
• Miguel Andujar on Why he Honored the Coliseum
• Ballers Clinch Winning Season, Sit Atop Second Half Standings

MLB News & Interest:

• Umpire hit in head by Giancarlo Stanton’s broken bat, carted off field ($)
• Cardinals Place Willson Contreras On 15-Day IL Due To Finger Fracture
• Why a six-inning minimum for MLB starting pitchers makes sense ($)
• Unstoppable Judge on pace for 63 with 50th, 51st homers
• Nationals To Promote Dylan Crews
• Mets Place Paul Blackburn On 15-Day Injured List
• Mets Release Eddie Rosario
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Roster moves.

Kurtz out.

Yikes.

He was once the Ace of the place.

Long highlights.

Jermaine pops into the booth.