Elephant Rumblings: A’s drop third straight

The Oakland Athletics dropped their third straight game Friday night with a 6-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. As lopsided as that score might look, the A’s had plenty of chances in what has become a familiar refrain during their three-game skid. Oakland was 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position Friday night and are just 4-for-29 over the last three games, all losses.

JP Sears logged a career-best seven innings in the loss but allowed three home runs, including one to Kyle Schwarber on the first pitch of the game. Sears has allowed 17 home runs in 76 1/3 innings which is the fourth most in Major League Baseball. Despite the homers, Sears has arguably been Oakland’s most consistent pitching option and his 5.1% walk-rate has helped limit the damage caused by the homers.

A’s Coverage

• A’s place Richard Lovelady on the injured list, recall Chad Smith
• Ruiz runs past Rickey, A’s history in sight
• Fans’ reverse boycott against A’s owners should be remembered as epic feat
• Oakland A’s stadium saga, explained: How we got to the ‘reverse boycott’ and what’s next
• Rosenthal: MLB owners have chance to question A’s move to Vegas
• MLB commissioner Rob Manfred needs to read the room

MLB News

• Aaron Judge dealing with 2nd ailing ligament in toe, gets PRP injection
• Dodgers place Max Munch on injured list
• Mitch Haniger undergoes forearm surgery, expected to miss 10 weeks
• Angels place Gio Urshela on injured list with pelvic fracture
• White Sox place Mike Clevinger on injured list
• Guardians designated Mike Zunino for assignment
• Here’s everything you need to know about the MLB Draft Combine
• Blue Jays release Anthony Bass

Best of Twitter

Matt Kawahara is leaving the San Francisco Chronicle and headed to the Houston Chronicle. Best of luck Matt!

Esteury Ruiz has been slumping at the plate of late, but he was all over the place Friday night.

James Kaprielian on how competition on the pitching staff has led to better results.