FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal's latest notes column discusses the Oakland A's and their 5 game lead in the AL West, despite being second to last in the league in runs per game:

The low-revenue A's, leading the AL West by 5 1/2 games, thrive by exploiting market inefficiencies. But their offensive futility this season is bordering on historic.

The A's could become the first team since the world champion 1985 Royals to reach the postseason while finishing last or next-to-last in their league in runs, according to STATS, Inc.

The Devil Rays are the only AL club averaging fewer runs per game than the A's. Not to worry: The A's, averaging 4.49 runs, are bearing down on the Royals, who are averaging 4.50.

They're certainly scoring tonight, though, getting 9 runs off of the Seattle Mariners' Joel Pineiro.

One player who's hit subpar this season has been Eric Chavez. He has just a 773 OPS. Rosenthal notes that Chavez is "playing with tendinitis in both of his forearms." Billy Beane praises Chavez's defense. His BP stats back that up.