Callaspo's plate struggles magnified in A's loss

ST. PETERSBURG -- Alberto Callaspo's ongoing struggles at the plate were magnified in Thursday's 5-2 loss against the Rays.

The veteran infielder, rarely frozen on strikes, was caught looking twice in the series finale, and he also made the final out of the ninth inning with a shallow fly ball to left field that stranded three baserunners and paved the way for extra innings.

"He was our hottest hitter for a while and has slowed down some," said manager Bob Melvin. "He wasn't going to keep the pace he was at, but usually he squares up some balls and has some better at-bats. He's just struggling right now."

Making the start at third base on Thursday while Josh Donaldson acted as designated hitter, Callaspo drew a walk in his first plate appearance but finished 0-for-3, extending his hitless streak to 12 at-bats.

Callaspo is just 6-for-42 (.143) in May, after batting .269 in April. He has grounded into a double play in two of the last four games and has hit into 10 on the season, which is tied for the Major League lead.