A's aren't prepared to change Cook's role

OAKLAND -- The A's aren't prepared to make a change with their closer's role. All-Star Ryan Cook has blown each of his last two save attempts and four of his last six. His seven blown saves are the most in the American League.The team understands that they have to be patient with Cook who has shown flashes of brilliance this season on the mound. "Nothing has changed as far as who pitches in what roles," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "It's just a matter of who is available tonight. I think it depends on how he feels today." This season Cook is virtually unhittable when pitching with rest. He has allowed one run in 38 appearances with a day or more off. Cook has allowed 12 runs in 9.1 innings in 11 appearances when pitching on back-to-back days. His last two blown saves came over a stretch in which he pitched in three consecutive games. "He had the three in a row but before that he had a few days off," Melvin said. "I think it's something like three out of seven, so it's manageable as far as his workload." Cook is third among American League relievers with a .149 opponent batting average. His 23 walks tie him for third most in the A.L. though. Prior to June 21 his line drive against percentage was nine percent. Since then it has ballooned up to 21 percent. Since June 2, he has allowed 2.30 homers per nine innings and has a 6.32 ERA. Notes:- Cliff Pennington is going to play in Sacramento on Monday. He is expected to play there for the next three games then the A's will re-evaluate. - Yoenis Cespedes is out of the lineup on Monday. He experienced some pain in his last two at-bats on Sunday. He sprained his right wrist on Friday night. - Brett Anderson is expected to throw 90 pitches in his next start with the Sacramento River Cats. Melvin said he wants him to work his way up to 100 before they will make any further decisions. Anderson threw 70 pitches on Sunday over four and one-third innings of work in Sacramento.