OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Athletics ended a 19-inning scoreless streak on Marcus Semiens home run off Kyle Hendricks in the eighth inning.Beyond that, manager Bob Melvins ballclub couldnt do much at the plate -- a recurring theme throughout the three-game series with the Cubs as well as since the All-Star break.Semiens 23rd home run of the season in the eighth inning prevented Oakland from being shut out for a second straight game but not much else went right in a 3-1 loss to Chicago on Sunday.Thats why you lose games, Melvin said after his team lost for the eighth time in nine games. Granted we had some decent pitching performances, certainly today. We couldnt do enough offensively to put any pressure on them. We needed to score more runs to give (the starters) some help.Oakland starter Sean Manaea (3-7) bounced back from a rough outing against the Angels but remained winless since June 29. The rookie left-hander allowed two runs over six-plus innings, struck out four and walked two.It wasnt enough on a day when the As managed only four hits, including two infield singles.I just needed to focus more, said Manaea, who has a 2.58 ERA over his last six appearances. I was kind of throwing my pitches and I wasnt really thinking about them. I was just going out and throwing them without really locating them.Kyle Hendricks pitched into the eighth inning for his fifth win since June to help the Cubs complete the three-game sweep.Kris Bryant and Jorge Soler both homered off Manaea. Bryants home run was his 27th this season, one more than the two-time All-Star had in 2015 when he was the NLs rookie of the year.The Cubs seventh straight win improved them to a major league-best 69-41 and marked their 10th series sweep this season. That topped their mark from a year ago, and increased their lead in the NL Central to 11 1/2 games over St. Louis.Ive been on some nice teams but this is trending in the right direction, Maddon said. Its up to us to maintain that daily and not get too far ahead of ourselves.Hendricks (11-7) was dominant against an As team that had dropped seven of eight going into the day. Chicagos right-hander allowed three hits over 7 1/3 innings, struck out four and retired 17 straight before Semiens one-out home run in the eighth.Hendricks lowered his ERA to 2.17, second-lowest in the majors among qualifiers behind the Dodgers Clayton Kershaw.The As had not scored since the sixth inning of Fridays loss to the Cubs before Semiens home run, a towering solo shot that ended Hendricks day.Pedro Strop retired two batters and Aroldis Champan pitched the ninth for his third save since arriving in a trade from the New York Yankees on July 25.TRAINERS ROOMAthletics: RHP Sonny Gray was placed on the disabled list with a strained right forearm. Its the second stint on the DL for Gray, who was pulled from his start against the Cubs on Saturday after only five innings. ... Chris Smith, a right-handed reliever, was called up from Triple-A Nashville to replace Gray on the roster.UP NEXTAthletics: RHP Kendall Graveman (7-7) faces the Orioles on Monday at the Coliseum. He has been Oaklands most consistent pitcher over the past two months, with six wins in his previous 12 starts. Fernandinho Jersey . Defencemen Drew Doughty, Shea Weber and forward Ryan Getzlaf also scored for the Canadians, who started their gold-medal defence 2-0. Goalie Roberto Luongo, getting the call in place of Game 1 starter Carey Price, was solid when needed in making 23 saves for the shutout. Giuliano Jersey .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. http://www.officialbrazilstore.com/world-cup-paulinho-football-jersey/ . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No. Rafinha Jersey . Both players have lower body injuries that will keep them out of the lineup until at least January 31, which is the first game they can be activated from IR. Jemerson Jersey . Vettel was 0.168 seconds faster than Red Bull teammate Mark Webber around the Suzuka circuit. Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg was two tenths of a second off Vettel. "The car balance is decent, but I think we can still improve," Vettel said. Wales coach Warren Gatland will coach the British & Irish Lions on their 10-match tour of New Zealand in 2017.It will be Gatlands third tour with the historic side having acted as assistant on their trip to South Africa in 2009 and then head coach in 2013 for Australia for their 2-1 series win.Gatland, who was born in Hamilton, is charged with masterminding a series victory against the worlds best side, the All Blacks. Deemed the hardest challenge in rugby, the Lions last tour against New Zealand in 2005 saw them lose the series 3-0.But Gatland is in no mood for pessimism.Its a huge honour. If there are people, players or coaches, who believe we havent got a chance put your hands up now and dont get on the plane, Gatland said. We have to go there as a team and believe we can be successful.To go to New Zealand and lead the team against the back to back world champions in their own back yard -- theres no bigger challenge. Im hugely looking forward to it.He plans to naame his backroom staff on December 7 and favours a mixture of continuity from the 2013 tour and fresh faces.dddddddddddd?And his appointment as Lions coach sees him take a sabbatical from Wales duties where he has led them to two grand slams and a further Six Nations championship since taking the post in 2007.We are delighted to have Warren as head coach for a second Tour, Lions tour manager John Spencer said. His international track record speaks for itself and he also understands the essence of the Lions and how to unite four nations in one purpose.Warren is acutely aware of the challenges we will face in New Zealand and we are confident he is the right man to lead us to a series victory.The 10-match tour starts on June 3 when the Lions face the NZ Barbarians, a game that falls just a week after the Aviva Premiership and PRO12 finals. NFL Jerseys From China Stitched Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys From China Jerseys From China Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '