--OF Ben Copeland, a Rule 5 draftee, was activated before Tuesday's game with the Angels. Copeland had been on the disabled list since the start of the season after incurring whiplash-like symptoms after running into the wall making a catch during spring training. Oakland must keep Copeland on the roster all year or waive him and then offer him back to the Giants for $25,000; it's unlikely he'd stick on the roster all year, but with two days off next week, the A's can go with 11 pitchers for a brief time.
--OF Matt Holliday snapped an 0-for-13 streak with a two-run homer in the ninth inning Tuesday. Holliday, the A's main offseason acquisition, entered the game batting .223, and he is 7 for his past 42 overall. --RHP Andrew Bailey could be an option to close games soon, according to manager Bob Geren. Bailey, who never had pitched above Class AA before this season and who has been in relief only since the middle of last year, has three wins and he leads AL relievers with 20 strikeouts.
BY THE NUMBERS: 2.61 -- The A's bullpen ERA entering Sunday, the best mark in the majors at that point. Opponents were batting .188 against Oakland relievers, which was also the lowest mark in the majors.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The guy is a great athlete. He's 6-foot-5, Greek physique, an all-state basketball player in high school." -- A's starter Dallas Braden, on OF Ryan Sweeney, who went over the wall in Texas to rob Ian Kinsler of a home run.
