Elephant Rumblings: Astros sweep, overtake A’s in AL West

MLB news roundup

Happy Friday, Athletics Nation!

The A’s have regressed in a big way since their recent six-game winning streak ended on Cinco De Mayo. They’ve lost five in a row, 11 of their last 13, and were outscored 22-4 in Houston this week as the Astros swept a four-game series and overtook the A’s in the AL West standings. Rather than regaining their footing against a Houston team that has struggled this season, the A’s were humiliated yet again by the Stros.

It made for tough watching.

The A’s continue actively making acquisitions and roster moves to shore up an injury-plagued pitching staff, but bad breaks keep coming. AN’s Connor Ashford put together some solid coverage yesterday of Ken Waldichuk’s season-ending Tommy John surgery and the acquisition of righty hurler Brandon Bielak from the Astros.

If you’re looking for silver linings in the wake of this brutal stretch, turn your attention to a much improved Tyler Soderstrom since his recent return to Oakland, the fact that the A’s are somehow still hovering above .400, and of course, Mason Miller. Even the league’s best hitters look helpless against the A’s phenomenal closer. But it sure was painful to watch the A’s lose on Tuesday despite Miller’s astounding two-inning performance.

Sorry—I’m struggling to stay focused on the positives; I’m pretty nearsighted.

The A’s head to Kansas City today for the last series of their current road trip. Let’s hope they can get back in the saddle this weekend. Hope yours is wonderful, AN.

A’s Coverage:

• A’s lose 8-1, suffer series sweep to Astros
• Ken Waldichuk undergoes elbow surgery
• Athletics acquire Brandon Bielak from Astros
• All Oakland Ballers games will air on Bay Area radio

MLB News & Interest:

• Emmet Sheehan Undergoes Tommy John Surgery
• Rimas Sports Agency Files Lawsuit Against MLBPA Over Recent Sanctions
• Sony sued for trademark infringement over ‘MLB the Show’ use of ‘Future Stars Program’ ($)
• What Roku is paying MLB to stream Sunday baseball games ($)
• Meet ‘foul ball guy,’ Mariners fan who went from 1-in-10 million catch to throwing first pitch ($)
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Roster moves.

Just a wee boo boo for Jacob, per Vince.

The flag is still there.

Towny and Spidey reminisce.