Elephant Rumblings: A’s show mixed progress vs. Rockies, Astros

MLB news roundup

Happy Monday, Athletics Nation! I hope you are having a safe and meaningful Memorial Day holiday.

The A’s dropped a second series to the Astros over the weekend, but at least managed to avoid another humiliating sweep like the last one in Houston. Yesterday’s loss closed out a 3-3 homestand throughout which the A’s won and lost on alternating days, besting the Rockies in a three game series before suffering the L-W-L against Houston. It’s nothing to write home about, but the .500 stretch sure beats Oakland’s last 1-9 road trip—and was a lot more fun to watch for the most part.

Rookie phenom Mason Miller took a rare stumble in Thursday’s epic comeback win in extras against the Rockies on Thursday, but thankfully The Reaper snapped right back into unhittable form on Saturday to save the A’s lone win of the season against the Astros, striking out the side once again in the process. Nothing beats seeing it with your own eyes, but this stat underscores just how rare dominance of this magnitude is:

The A’s are southbound tomorrow, beginning a six game road trip in Tampa Bay that will end in Atlanta. Hopefully they’ll tighten up their defense (quite) a bit and get a few more opportunistic knocks to solidify the team’s progress.

Have a fantastic week, AN.

A’s Coverage:

• Athletics drop series finale 5-2 to Houston
• A’s roster moves: Ferguson, O’Loughlin recalled
• Athletics Place Ross Stripling On 15-Day IL, Designate Brandon Bielak
• They’re two of MLB’s most electrifying pitchers. They’re also Type 1 diabetic ($)
• Manfred reveals planned Sutter Health Park upgrades for A’s games
• Meet ‘The Reaper’: A’s rookie takes on new person

MLB News & Interest:

• Ronald Acuna Jr. Suffers Torn ACL, Will Miss Rest Of 2024 Season
• Yankees Select Kevin Smith
• East-West Classic celebrates Negro Leagues, reminds former players what’s missing today ($)
• Report: MLB Teams Planning For Roki Sasaki Posting This Offseason
• AL West Notes: Abreu, Urquidy, Trout, Adams
• José Abreu calls demotion ‘best thing’ he’s gone through in his career ($)
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Roster moves.

O’Loughlin on his big league debut.

To that guy who told me women will never be able to compete with men on the diamond:

Remembering that time Jose hit one out with his head.