Comebacks, late-inning magic hallmarks of resurgence by A’s

OAKLAND, Calif. — By now, most everyone in baseball realizes the Oakland Athletics rarely are out of it. Almost no deficit is too daunting for a rallying cry, which could be led by any number of sluggers in a loaded lineup.

Never before in his managerial career has Bob Melvin been around a club with such a knack for comebacks, for winning the close ones in the late innings despite what might seem insurmountable odds.

During a recent trip in Texas, the A’s rallied from behind 10-2 to beat the Rangers 13-10 by scoring 11 runs over the final four innings and getting a three-run homer by Khris Davis in the 10th.

The A’s have 31 comeback wins and are the majors’ lone team not to lose when leading after seven innings — 46-0 — and have a 61-game win streak in such contests.

Oakland is 55-0 when leading after eight innings, while Seattle (57-0) is the only other team in the majors not to lose when ahead after eight.

The A’s are best in the majors scoring runs in the seventh inning or after with 217 and the eighth inning at 87. They also lead the majors with 10 comeback wins trailing after seven innings. At 22-9 in onerun games, that also is the majors’ best mark.

Oakland is on the heels of reigning World Series champion Houston in the American League West, the A’s trailing the Astros by five games going into their day off Thursday. The small-budget franchise hasn’t reached the playoffs since losing the AL wild-card game in 2014, finishing last in the division the past three seasons.

“It’s a momentum aspect,” Davis said. “You’ve just got to keep playing the game the right way, what we expect of each other. We’re just looking to do our jobs, and luckily we’re having a great time doing it.”