Elephant Rumblings: A series win!

Misery loves company and for at least one day, the Oakland Athletics are not alone at the bottom of the American League standings. The A’s won their second-straight game Saturday night defeating the Kansas City Royals 5-4 to earn their first series win of the season. Oakland is now tied with the Royals for the worst record in the American League at 8-26.

While that isn’t anything that needs to be celebrated, the young A’s have begun to play better after some major roster turnover. JJ Bleday had two hits Saturday night, including his second home run of the season. Oakland led 5-1 going into the fourth inning before Ken Waldichuk led the Royals back in the game. The A’s leaky bullpen pitched in and out of trouble to preserve the lead for the final four innings. Estuery Ruiz drove in two runs and picked up his 16 stolen base of the season to take over the Major league lead.

A’s Coverage

• Clutch pitching, early offense help A’s get first series win
• Watch A’s Esteury Ruiz as new rules put MLB stolen base records in play
• The A’s may have found a hidden gem on the waiver wire
• A’s broadcaster Kuiper suspended following racial slur

MLB News

• Aaron Judge “on track” to be activated Tuesday
• Eloy Jiménez out 4-6 weeks after appendectomy
• Guardians option Oscar Gonzalez to Triple A
• Red Sox aiming to activate James Paxton next week
• Cardinals activate Adam Wainwright, select Tres Barrera, DFA Taylor Motter
• Willson Contreras shifting to DH role in bed to spark Cards
• Mariners place Penn Furfee on 15-day injured list

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