MLB news roundup

Happy Monday, Athletics Nation!

The A’s followed up their impressive sweep of the Astros in Houston with a promising—if ultimately flat .500—six-game home stand.

The A’s got great performances from their top three starters, Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs, and Jacob Lopez, who combined to allow just two runs through 18 innings in the three Athletics victories of the home stand.

With a 2-1 series victory over the Mariners and a 5-1 win in the series opener against the Diamondbacks, the A’s were poised to establish a truly impressive surge. But J.T. Ginn and Jack Perkins struggled in their starts, and the A’s offense couldn’t compensate for the six and seven runs scored by the D-Backs on Saturday and Sunday as Arizona ultimately prevailed in the series.

Sunday marked Perkins’s first career MLB start, and despite the loss, the 25-year-old righty has definitely shown enough promise to merit more opportunities.

Shea Langeliers had a great pair of series at the plate, going 9-for-25 with three doubles and his 19th home run of the season. As Martin Gallegos at MLB.com observed, Shea’s next dinger will make him just the fifth catcher in MLB history to hit at least 20 home runs in three of four seasons to start a big league career.

JJ Bleday had a stellar game in yesterday’s loss, his first MLB start since late June. The former first rounder has struggled greatly at the big league level this year, but he went 4-for-4 with a double and a home run, a hopeful sign that he may return to his 2024 form; the outfielder hit for a 120 wRC+ last season.

Former Athletic Kendall Graveman tallied his 500th career strikeout against Brent Rooker in Sunday’s game. Graveman spent four seasons as a starter in Oakland prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2018. The 34-year-old righty has pitched in relief for four different teams since then.

The A’s head east tomorrow for their next road trip, with stops in Washington D.C. and Baltimore. Have a fantastic week, AN.

A’s Coverage:

• Athletics drop series finale 6-4 to D-backs
• Saturday Post Trade Deadline Potpourri: Closers And Schadenfreude Edition
• A’s Fall To Diamondbacks 7-2
• Athletics defeat Diamondbacks 5-1
• Langeliers one HR away from joining Raleigh in elite company

A’s get a glimpse into the future with Perkins’ first MLB start

• Can anyone stop Kurtz? A’s newest phenom has
• Hard-throwing Morales, A’s No. 3 prospect, makes MLB debut
• Latest Athletics injuries and transactions

MLB News & Interest:

• Rob Manfred Downplays Salary Cap Dispute With Bryce Harper
• Orioles Claim Ryan Noda Off Waivers
• Dodgers Activate Blake Snell
• How To Acquire Players After The MLB Trade Deadline
• Outright Assignments: 8/3/25
• Red Sox Notes: Ryan, Alcantara, Prospects, Mayer, Slaten
• Yankees Activate Luis Gil From 60-Day Injured List
• Brewers Place Jacob Misiorowski On 15-Day Injured List
• Angels Release LaMonte Wade Jr.
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Hope for positive news on Urías.

Breaking off the mouthguard like Kit Kat.

A solid day for De Vries.

But did they sign him?