Oakland's losing streak reached seven on Sunday when it dropped a 10-8 decision to the Texas Rangers. That's two sweeps in a row. First Seattle, then Texas.

The struggling A's open a three-game series at Anaheim on Monday. After an off day on Thursday, Oakland gets another shot at the Rangers, this time at The Ballpark in Arlington.

The reeling Athletics had a chance to win it in the ninth inning. After striking out Johnny Damon, Texas lefty Mike Venafro issued three straight walks on 15 pitches. But Jeremy Giambi hit the next pitch back to the mound and Venafro started the Rangers' second game-ending double play in as many days.

"It was a fastball down the middle. That's why I hit it," Giambi said. "It seems anybody we play gets all the breaks. All we get is hitting the ball right at people. It kind of sums up the whole homestand.

The 1-8 homestand was the second-worst in team history. Oakland was 1-9 at home between July 6-15, 1979.

"We're swinging the bats well, but now the pitching is out of whack," Athletics manager Art Howe added. "I just want to get us out on the road and maybe get going out there."

Gil Heredia (0-3) surrendered eight runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings on Sunday as his ERA jumped to 7.88. Second-year lefty Barry Zito struggled on Saturday. Ace Tim Hudson was knocked out early in his last start against Seattle.

WHO'S HOT: Jason Giambi homered for the second straight game and three hits for the Athletics on Sunday. He's hitting .410.

WHO'S NOT: Rookie second baseman Jose Ortiz was hitting .179 (7-for-39) after Sunday's game. The Rangers made room for Ortiz by not re-signing veteran Randy Velarde, who's not with Texas. Velarde was 3-for-4 with a home run against the A's on Sunday, raising his average to .392.

LIDLE BIG MAN: RHP Cory Lidle made his first Oakland start Friday against Texas. Lidle, acquired as part of the A's compensation for trading LF Ben Grieve to Tampa Bay, impressed the A's during spring training. He made the team as the fifth starter, but the club didn't need a fifth starter until this weekend, so he's honed his pitches in Triple-A.

Last Friday in Sacramento, Lidle scattered six hits over six innings, allowing two runs while walking three and striking out two.

ADDING DEPTH: When minor league OF Mario Encarnacion was disabled by an ankle injury last week -- he's expected to miss six weeks -- the A's quickly signed veteran big leaguer F.P. Santangelo, who will be at Triple-A Sacramento until -- and if -- Oakland needs a backup infielder or outfielder.

ALL WRAPPED UP: C Ramon Hernandez had his right hand wrapped in a bandage to minimize the affect of a bruise he suffered on his throwing hand back on March 30. It's getting better, he says, and wasn't keeping him out of the lineup.

BIG JOHN: DH John Jaha probably won't be activated from the disabled list until sometime after his eligibility date of April 15. General manager Billy Beane hoped to make it to Sacramento this week to see how Jaha's injured shoulder is progressing.

"We need his bat in the middle of the lineup,'' Beane said. "But he's got to be healthy.''

FAST FACT: RHP Jeff Tam was third among AL relievers last year with a 2.63 ERA. In his first three games this year, Tam's ERA was 17.18. He allowed seven hits in just 3 2/3 innings over four games.

QUOTEWORTHY: "Those power-type sinker guys, traditionally when they're too strong is when they struggle. Obviously, you're strong at the start of the season and you're excited to get going, and you can lose a little of your command, lose your focus on your location. He just wasn't making any pitches, that's what it comes down to.'' -- Pitching coach Rick Peterson on RHP Jeff Tam's tough start.