OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics spent their 52nd day in the American League West cellar on Sunday, but they completed a three-game sweep of the reigning American League champion Cleveland Indians with a 7-3 victory.
Now the A's, who are in full rebuilding mode, will try to play spoilers again when they open a three-game series Monday night against the Tampa Bay Rays, another team in the thick of a playoff race.
Before the Sunday game, the A's traded veteran relievers Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson to the Washington Nationals in exchange for reliever Blake Treinen and two highly touted minor league prospects, shortstop/third baseman Sheldon Neuse and left-hander Jesus Luzardo.