A new crop of rookies await export
Consider this the wet-blanket spin on all the recent exciting A’s news.
The Athletics are creating thrills with call-ups of minorleague phenoms. Saturday, three Oakland rookies hit their first major-league home runs in the same game!
I’d tell you the rookies’ names, but that might make them popular, and you know what happens to popular A’s. They drive up to the players’ parking lot and the guy with the chipboard says, “Hmm. Sorry, your name’s not on my list, Mr. Vogt.”
The only other time three rookies hit their first homers in the same game was in 1914, when it was done by members of Kansas City Packers of the old Federal League. Coincidentally, the most useful skill an Oakland A’s player can possess is the
WASHINGTON — Scooter Gennett had four hits, including a home run, yet the second baseman’s biggest contribution Sunday might have come with his arm.
After helping Cincinnati build a six-run lead, Gennett threw out Washington outfielder Brian Goodwin at the plate on a fifthinning relay, disrupting the Nationals’ chance at a comeback in the Reds’ 6-2 victory.
Goodwin was at first following a single when Bryce Harper doubled. Gennett cut off right fielder Scott Schebler’s throw and his relay nailed Goodwin by a few steps, denying Harper an RBI.
“That was a huge play,” Reds starter Scott Feldman said. “I thought maybe the most important play of the game.”
Gennett also had his most hits in a game since June 6, when he went 5-for-5 and became the 17th major leaguer to homer four times in a game.
His RBI single came in a fiverun first inning, and his 11th home run made it 6-0 in the second.
“It was a good day for us,” Gennett said. “The first two games were pretty rough. It was a tough loss the first day and yesterday was pretty bad. To be able to get a win and bounce back is huge.”
Associated Press