What has happened to the Oakland offense?  It seems that it has taken a vacation.

Oakland has lost 5 of their last 6 games and has been shutout in three of those losses.

Not a whole lot to be proud of on the offensive side of the ball, but the pitching has still done a good job.  In the five losses, the opposition has only scored 22 runs, which is just over 4 runs a game. 

With the acquisition of Frank Thomas, the A's have a three-man rotation of Mike Sweeney, Thomas, and Daric Barton at first base and DH.  I actually think the rotation has hurt Daric Barton's development.  Barton sits against left-handed pitching right now and I can't help to think that if he would actually play without a break, then he could actually get into a groove and his hitting would take off.

Also, Eric Chavez and Travis Buck are both in the minors on assignments and when they are both ready, they will come up.  Chavez is rehabbing and Buck was hurt, but is now playing regularly in AAA and the A's won't call him up until he is in a groove.  Hopefully that happens sooner than later.

The A's start a three-game set with the Atlanta Braves, in Atlanta, this weekend.  The A's have been very good in inter league play.