No End to Futility in View for A’s, Who Lose 12th Consecutive Game

With Rickey Henderson and Mark McGwire on the bench because of nagging injuries and a pitcher who had been in the minor leagues earlier in the day, the Oakland Athletics knew it might be another tough game.

Actually, there have been a lot of tough games lately for the A’s, whose 7-5 loss to the New York Yankees on Saturday was their 12th in a row. Oakland’s skid is its longest in 16 years and is two losses short of a club record, set in 1977.

“I think they understand how many games it’s been since we’ve won a game,” Manager Tony La Russa said. “There’s no easy answer as to what effect there is, except to go out there and try to win a game.”

Jimmy Key (4-1) gave up two runs and six hits in the first three innings, but gave up only one more run before leaving after the eighth. He got help from Jim Leyritz’s two homers.

Miguel Jimenez (0-1), moved up from the minors before the game, pitched three hitless innings then walked five batters in the fourth and left after getting only two outs.