Elephant Rumblings: Young A’s have eyes on the future

The Oakland Athletics got their homestand off to a good start Friday night with a 9-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Oakland banged out 14 hits in the game including eight doubles. With a roster that now features several of the team’s top prospects, the focus is on finishing September with some momentum that they can carry into next season.

Zack Gelof struggled on the most recent road trip, but broke out Friday night with two doubles. Esteury Ruiz had three hits, including his third home run of the season and also picked up his 54th stolen base of the season.

A’s Coverage

• A’s recall Tyler Soderstrom, Sam Long as rosters expand
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• Every team’s best September call up

MLB News

• MLB opts to keep pitch clock rules intact for postseason, sources say
• Rangers’ Max Scherzer plays it ‘smart,’ exits with forearm tightness
• The Martian blasts off in the Space City with HR in first AB
• Brewers manager Craig Counsell could be one of the biggest free agents this offseason
• Nationals place Rico Garcia on release waivers
• Reds lose 3 players, then walk it off: ‘We don’t want it to be easy’
• Walker Buehler to begin rehab assignment
• Cardinals activate Ryan Helsley, transfer Brendan Donovan to 60-day IL
• These new-look Statcast player pages are art

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Jordan Diaz recorded a three-hit game Friday night

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Friday’s win was the 100th of Mark Kotsay’s career

Zack Gelof on batting behind Esteury Ruiz

Mark Kotsay on how Oakland’s young core is feeding off each other.

Aledmys Diaz has been impressed with the A’s young players