Gray unable to find consistency in rough outing

CLEVELAND — The A’s joyride came to a screeching halt this weekend, their newfound enthusiasm squashed at least temporarily by a three-game sweep at the hands of the red-hot Indians.

The wheels came off quickly in Sunday’s finale, with Sonny Gray faltering again. The right-hander was responsible for seven runs in just 3 1/3 innings in the 8-0 loss, continuing a season that has been every bit frustrating for him as perplexing.

Just last week in Texas, where the A’s took two of three from the first-place Rangers, Gray appeared to have turned a corner — much like the club as a whole, with Oakland going 9-4 out of the break. Following a forgettable weekend in Cleveland, though, the realities of another disappointing A’s season have set in yet again, just in time for the non-waiver Trade Deadline.

The A’s are still taking calls on starter Rich Hill and outfielder Josh Reddick, though they aren’t in a hurry to deal either, and it’s very possible that Monday’s 1 p.m. PT Deadline passes without movement.

“If something happens, it happens,” Reddick said. “If it doesn’t, it doesn’t, and that’s great. It’s going to be interesting with the off-day tomorrow to wake up and anticipate what’s actually going to happen. Just have to keep myself busy and stay by the phone.”

“I try not to get too caught up in that,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. …

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