Oakland in 'frustrating time' as losses mount

OAKLAND -- Amid an already disheartening stretch of goodbyes to three of their biggest assets, the A's have stopped hitting, amplifying the frustration level of a last-place club that's dropped nine of 13 since the All-Star break.

After the non-waiver Trade Deadline came and went Friday, with Scott Kazmir, Tyler Clippard and Ben Zobrist all gone in the days leading up to it, the A's took the field behind an impressive Kendall Graveman, who allowed one unearned run in 6 2/3 innings, and could only provide him one hit of support in a 2-1 loss to the Indians.

Video: CLE@OAK: Graveman fans six over 6 2/3 stellar frames

"When you can't give your boy two runs and he goes up there and gives up one unearned he should get the win for that, and we weren't able to do that for him," catcher Stephen Vogt said. "Anytime you waste a good start as a hitter you get frustrated about that."

The A's have mustered a combined one run and three hits in the first two games of this four-game set. On Thursday, they were shut out by a masterful Carlos Carrasco, who allowed two hits in the first inning and none thereafter. On Friday, it was Danny Salazar who made quick work of them, surrendering just one hit -- an Eric Sogard single in the fourth inning -- in eight innings of work.

"I got some pitches to hit today, and I just didn't do it," said Ike Davis, who is 0-for-6 from the cleanup spot this series. "Just goes to show, when our pitching holds them to three or fewer runs, we don't score. Basically how the season's gone so far."

Vogt, perhaps the A's most consistent hitter in the first half leading up to his first All-Star appearance, isn't just without a hit in this series but hasn't had one in his last 21 at-bats.

Going back to his last 25 games, he's batting .172.

"I'm struggling, just flat out," Vogt said. "Jumpy, not very good pitch selection. I'm not getting anything to hit and I'm not being patient.

"It's been a really bad month for me. It's been frustrating, and I'm struggling. Swing feels good. It's not physical. It's pitch selection, timing. Just got to bounce out of it."

The A's latest loss, which capped off a 10-14 July, included a tough error by Marcus Semien in the seventh inning -- his Major League-leading 29th of the season following a stretch of 14 games without one.

"You look at the last week, week and a half, this has been a frustrating time for this team in all areas," Vogt said, "but we're professionals and we're going to keep it rolling no matter what happens and come ready to win tomorrow."