Doolittle (1-2) did little to help his cause in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Angels, picking up a loss and blowing a save by allowing two earned runs on two hits and a walk in the top of the ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle seemed to be rolling with a win and a save in his last two appearances, but that progress came to a screeching halt in this one. As far as Oakland's alternative closer options go, Ryan Madson gave up two earned runs in the eighth inning himself while John Axford got through the seventh unscathed. The Athletics will presumably stick with Doolittle for now, but he can't afford a prolonged slump.