Elephant Rumblings: A’s end another tough skid

MLB news roundup

Happy Friday, Athletics Nation!

Beleaguered A’s fans can breathe a sigh of relief once again as a second brutal, season-derailing losing streak has at last come to a merciful end. This time, the A’s ended a nine game skid in dramatic fashion with a huge offensive performance in yesterday’s 14-3 win over the Twins. Prior to this victory, the A’s were 1-21 since May 14.

It’s interesting to note that while the A’s could have won yesterday’s game even if the pitching had been abysmal as it characteristically has been of late, Mitch Spence delivered a solid performance in his first start of the season. He was the odd man out of the competition to make the A’s Opening Day rotation, edged out by Joey Estes for the fifth spot. It appears likely that Spence will now get a fresh start in a starting role.

The big win feels great, but it remains to be seen whether this is truly the end of the deep malaise the A’s have been afflicted with the past few weeks. A cathartic win like yesterday’s helps. Hopefully some recent roster changes will make a difference, too.

T.J. McFarland is back, and with the reinstatement of Michael Kelly it seems like a pretty safe bet that we can expect a bit more from the bullpen going forward. Really, there is no reason to expect any Major League pitching staff to be as bad as the Athletics’ was in May. Connor Ashford has more details on these latest bullpen reinforcements right here on AN.

The A’s will look to gain some traction in this weekend’s series against the Orioles in Sacramento. The Birds have been surprisingly bad this season—but they’re also rolling into Sactown on a six game winning streak.

Have a wonderful weekend, AN.

A’s Coverage:

• A’s Win! Homers Power Athletics Past Twins 14-3
• A’s roster moves: McFarland activated, Kelly reinstated
• Rosenthal: Blame the bullpen for the A’s struggles, but also blame their situation ($)
• They were suspended for betting on baseball. Now their teams are welcoming them back ($)
• Wilson (2 hits, RBI double) boosts case as All-Star voting opens
• Latest Athletics injuries and transactions

MLB News & Interest:

• Law: Biggest risers and fallers from the newest MLB top-50 prospect ranking ($)
• Braves To Select Craig Kimbrel
• Jerry Reinsdorf, Justin Ishbia Reach Agreement For Ishbia To Obtain Future Majority Stake In White Sox
• There’s a NEW No. 1 pick in the latest mock draft
• Rangers Option Kumar Rocker
• White Sox To Promote Kyle Teel
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Roster moves.

A pair of familiar faces return to the fold.