Swinging and missing, but winning games, K?

After striking out 13 times Tuesday in a 101 loss in Arizona, the A’s have struck out 242 times in 24 games this season, secondmost in the majors and a double digit average per game.

Any reason for concern, manager Bob Melvin was asked.

“You know, when things don’t go well, you’re concerned about it, and when things go well and you score some runs, you hit some homers, you’re not as much,” Melvin said. “We do have some guys that will strike out. At some point in time, it becomes a little bit of a concern. But you know what, we had a couple of tough games” in Arizona.

To Melvin’s point, A’s hitters have struck out in double digits 12 times this season — and they’re 93 in those games. As of Tuesday evening, the A’s also led the majors in walks drawn (104) and ranked in the top 10 in runs scored (122) and home runs (36).

“We have quite a few guys that will strike out and hit the ball out of the ballpark,” Melvin said. “Days and stretches where it’s a lot, it becomes a little bit of a concern. But I don’t think a bad day like today is going to affect our approach.”

Outfielder Stephen Piscotty said he believes the numbers will “level off,” even in a 60game season.

“I think when we’re going really well, we’re not striking out as much,” Piscotty said. “It’s still a pretty short sample size . ... I know we’re focused and that’s going to turn around.”

After scoring 30 runs in three games in San Francisco, the A’s totaled four runs in two losses at Chase Field, where Piscotty said the hitters’ backdrop and lack of shadows under a closed roof are relatively hitterfriendly.

“I was talking with a couple other guys who were seeing the ball well and it’s funny, sometimes when you’re seeing it well, you might get a little too big in the box and try to do too much and take yourself off your game a little bit,” Piscotty said. “Maybe that happened a little.”

On Puk: A.J. Puk, who threw a 30pitch bullpen session Monday, likely will need one or two more sessions before facing live hitters, Melvin said.

The A’s hope Puk, who opened the season on the injured list with shoulder inflammation, can join them in a relief role in the second half. Pitching coach Scott Emerson said Puk, who is throwing at the San Jose alternate site, is “feeling strong” and “looking good . ... But at the end of the day, we need A.J. to be healthy at the big leagues when he’s pitching here.”