Elephant Rumblings: Miami snaps A’s win streak

MLB news roundup

Happy Monday, Athletics Nation!

Some former Athletics took part in the Marlin’s 12-3 revenge win over the A’s yesterday. Infielder Jonah Bride and catcher Christian Bethancourt both doubled, scored, and batted in runs to help Miami avoid getting swept in their weekend series at the Coliseum.

Joe Boyle struggled with command yet again and left the game after just one inning with a back injury. Fingers crossed it does not prove serious.

Yesterday’s lopsided defeat felt like punishment for having just a little too much fun in Saturday’s game, which was a veritable smorgasbord of delights at the plate.

The A’s have fallen back below .500, but they have an opportunity to regain momentum and make a big statement in their four-game series against the Rangers this week. Texas is just two games ahead of Oakland in the AL West.

Much has been made lately of Mason Miller’s dominance as a closer, but lest we forget, Miller was slated to be a starter as he rose through the A’s system. It’s tantalizing to think about getting Mason back to the rotation, but as AN’s own Nico suggests, it is better to protect that young arm and appreciate what the 25-year-old righty is contributing in his current role: excellent odds to hold late leads, and a twice- or thrice-weekly spectacle of dazzling virtuosity on the mound. I’ll take it!

By way of making amends, I would like to offer my sincere apologies to Tim Dierkes at MLB Trade Rumors for mistakenly attributing to him in my Friday Rumblings a statement I read on MLBTR and deemed a bit irksome. In fact, the statement I quoted was, to any duly attentive reader, clearly from a question that Dierkes pulled from his mailbag.

Tim’s actual response to the question was thoughtful and thorough, and he was kind enough to share it in the comment section of my Rumblings. Regular AN readers know that I often link to MLBTR articles, and that is because it is one of my favorite sources—and it’s almost entirely paywall free. Mea culpa, Tim—please forgive the error! It was sloppy misinterpretation on my part, plain and simple.

Have a terrific week, AN.

A’s Coverage:

• Athletics fall to Marlins 12-3
• Mason Miller: Me Pitch Pretty One Day!
• A’s Sign Seth Elledge To Minor League Deal
• A’s outfielder Butler reflects on his slow start to 2024 season
• How A’s made MLB history in 20-run scoring outburst vs. Marlins

MLB News & Interest:

• MLB Draft reports: Scouting Hagen Smith and other potential first-rounders ($)
• Former Giants exec Brian Sabean reflects on legacy ahead of BASHOF induction ($)
• Road to Rickwood: Willie Mays reflects on his first big-league team, the 1948 Black Barons ($)
• Guardians To Promote Kyle Manzardo, Place Steven Kwan On 10-Day Injured List
• Blue Jays Activate Alek Manoah From Injuried List
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Let’s hope for some good news on Este’s wrist injury.

That’s a fine list right there.

Is that all?

A green banner in a sea of red.