Elephant Rumblings: A’s lose heartbreaker in Anaheim; MLB Draft concludes

A’s Coverage:

• Slusser: A’s score a bunch but pitching, defense falter in 10-9 loss at Anaheim...
• Gallegos: Grossman’s misplay sinks A’s in 9th...
• Rosenthal: Once doubted by his own manager, Marcus Semien transformed himself into a top defensive shortstop... ($)
• Lockard: With the 2019 MLB Draft in the books, a look at the A’s and Giants draft classes... ($)
• Slusser: A’s draft two with local ties, Mike Aldrete’s nephew goes to Giants...
• Haft: Collegians prominent throughout A’s Draft...
• Slusser: A’s closer Blake Treinen showing ‘better life’ on signature sinker...

Best of AN:

• CatfishBunter: Game #62 — A’s Surrender to Angels in Marathon Slugfest...
• Hall: MLB Draft 2019 — Oakland A’s make picks in Rounds 11 through 40...

MLB News:

• Rosenthal: Cubs sign closer Craig Kimbrel to three year, $43 million deal...
• Bell: Cleveland righty Carlos Carrasco out indefinitely with medical condition...
• Stark: Despite losing McCutchen for season, Phillies aren’t yet seeking additional outfield help...
• O’Brien: Braves have interest in free agent lefty Dallas Keuchel, but nothing imminent...
• Greenberg: Cubs’ Theo Epstein on Ben Zobrist — ‘He doesn’t owe us anything’...

Baseball Interest Stories:

• Rosenthal: Lots of teams could have signed Craig Kimbrel, and didn’t. Now we find out how much that will cost them... ($)
• Cwik: Meet the MLB closer who leads a double life as a GM in another sport...
• Clemens: May-Be This Time — What if the Season Started May 1?
• Jenks: The tragic spectacle of Eddie Gaedel, baseball’s only 3-foot-7 pinch-hitter... ($)

Today in Baseball History:

• 1918 — Casey Stengel, after being traded by the Brooklyn Robins in the offseason, makes his return to Ebbets Field a memorable one. In his first at-bat, Stengel calls time, steps out of the batter’s box and doffs his cap. A bird flows out and the fans break into laughter.
• 2013 — The Astros take Stanford University pitcher Mark Appel with the first overall pick in the 2013 amateur draft; Appel was a first-round selection in the 2012 draft, by the Pirates, but failed to come to terms. The Cubs follow by taking third baseman Kris Bryant from the University of San Diego. 15 of the top 20 picks are spent on pitchers.

Best of Twitter:

• Talk about a lucky bounce...

• You have to love Andrew McCutchen...

• This is easily the best story to come out of this year’s draft...