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The Oakland Telegraph
30 July 2026
Bailey shutout keeps A's driving forward
By Master C. Lass, pitching maestros correspondent
Oakland starter Ambrose Bailey produced a 5-hit, no-walk shutout to destroy the Texas Rangers last night, as his side continued their push towards yet another postseason appearance. Bailey fanned five as he moved to a 15-3 record and 2.63 ERA. Bailey's brilliance moved Oakland to 69-33, but the Seattle Mariners are proving peskier blighters than the kids in Scooby Doo and won't go away. They are hanging in there 11 games back and keeping pace. If the A's stumble, Seattle are near enough to take advantage.
Meanwhile, rookie Javier Cruz continues to set Major League Baseball alight with his awesome, uninhibited power hitting. Stronger than an ox that has overdosed on spinach, Cruz has now swung for 9 home runs and 25 RBIs in just 28 games. The lefty has been seeing the ball like a beachball. If a righty pitcher puts it into his hot zone, the crowd immediately gets ready to catch it. He has had no trouble finding a girlfriend. The boy could be special.
General manager Paulie Beane has just one ongoing concern right now: the fifth rotation spot. Mr Funnyname, Bill Williams, did well in the spot earlier this season. But with the righties in the bullpen struggling, and prospect Nathan Hamilton being given the Big Blue Arrow award by Oakland's pitching coach, Ace Onballs, Williams was moved to help the pen and Hamilton joined the rotation. However, both Hamilton and prospect Ramon Mendoza have been tried in the role, but made a right old dog's breakfast of it, posting filthy look-the-other-way ERAs of 5.80 and 9.49 respectively. Hamilton is currently back in the role but Beane's patience with him will be short.
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