Pratt's Instant Replay: Twins 4, A's 0

Things can't get much worse for the Oakland Athletics. Their 4-0 loss in Minnesota on Wednesday means they have lost eight straight games. The A's just cannot muster any offense. They have the fewest runs scored in the American League by a wide margin.The sweep at the hands of the Twins is particularly demoralizing. Minnesota, at 18-32, has the worst record in the American League.There is something about the end of May that doesn't agree with this team. Last year on this exact date, the A's started a 10-game losing streak that ended up being their undoing. During that losing streak, manager Bob Geren was fired, and Bob Melvin was hired.Starting Pitching ReportTyson Ross wasn't at his best. He allowed a mammoth two-run blast off the bat of former Athletic Josh Willingham in the fifth inning. That homer gave the Twins a 4-0 lead. He got off to a rocky start allowing two runs in the first as well.Ross only managed to pitch five innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits, and three walks. He only struck out one hitter.At the PlateEntering Tuesday, Francisco Liriano was 0-5, with an 8.05 ERA. The A's hitters made him look like the Liriano of old. He baffled the A's batsmen throwing six shutout innings, striking out nine.The A's went down in order in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings. In the eighth inning Cliff Pennington snapped that skid with a one-out walk. The next batter Jemile Weeks grounded into an inning-ending double play. In the ninth the A's were again retired in order.The A's have now been shutout nine times this season.Bullpen ReportThe A's bullpen has had a rough series in Minnesota. They coughed up late leads on Monday and Tuesday, costing the A's two potential wins. Wednesday the A's relievers pitched well. Andrew Carignan, Jordan Norberto, and Jim Miller all pitcher a scoreless inning.In the FieldKurt Suzuki threw out his first baserunner in his last 17 attempts in the third inning. On the play Josh Willingham struck out swinging, and Ben Revere was caught stealing second.
Up NextThe A's have an off-day on Thursday. They will take on the Kansas City Royals on Friday. Injured outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is expected to return in that game. Maybe Manny Ramirez will come with him.