Davis’ two homers power surging A’s over Rangers
Oakland on major roll since All-Star break; 9 wins in 13 games
ARLINGTON, Texas — With the trade deadline bearing down on the A’s, Oakland’s fortunes are picking up.
Two-run eighth-inning homers from Coco Crisp and Khris Davis dazed Texas, helping the A’s rally late Wednesday for a 6-4 win that has Oakland on a major roll since the All-Star break.
Crisp said Tuesday the break couldn’t have come at a better time for the A’s, and Oakland is playing to the truth of those words. The 9-4 record is the best of any team in the American League since the break, and this is a team having fun.
And it starts with Crisp, who homered and doubled Tuesday and came back with a homer and a triple Wednesday.
“He can pack a punch,” Davis said. “I like him in that leadoff spot. When I see him have good swings off a pitcher, it makes me more anxious to get up to the plate. And it’s not a bad feeling when you want to go up to the plate.”
You could say the same about Davis, whose 24th and 25th homers Wednesday left him just two shy of his career best with more than two months left in the season. He’s been a particularly nasty customer for the Rangers to handle. He has seven homers, 19 RBIs and a .419 average against Texas pitchers this year, and the A’s still have three more series against the A.L. West leaders.
“It’s an awesome time right now,” starting pitcher Sean Manaea said. “Our bats came alive in the eighth. Coco did a really good job. KD did a really good job. Everybody is starting to click at the right time. It seems like everyone is coming together as a team.”
That could all come apart in the next four days if the A’s were to dabble in the market with the trade deadline on Monday. They may, with starter Rich Hill and right fielder Josh Reddick being particularly prized commodities by pennant contenders, but manager Bob Melvin issued words of warning.
“We haven’t moved anybody,” Melvin said. “I know there’s some time left, but we haven’t moved anybody. We’re playing better baseball, and that certainly gives pause for thought.”
The 47-55 A’s used the disabled list 21 times in the first half and still have a stable of talent on the shelf. But players are getting healthier.
“With a full roster, I’ve always liked our team,” Melvin said. “I’ve said often this year that I know your record is your record, but we feel like we should have a better record. And now some guys who started off really cold are swinging the bats a lot better. It feels like more of 25-man roster than it has all year.”
Melvin also credits the move into everyday roles for third baseman Ryon Healy and center fielder Jake Smolinski, saying they give the club a feeling of “youthful enthusiasm.”
It’s been a while since the A’s could legitimately feel they were on top of their game. Now they can make that case. Not only is their record the best in the A.L. since the break, but they also have hit 19 homers in 13 games, almost 1.5 per game. Before the break it was 1.01 per game. In eight of the 13 games, the starting pitchers have gone at least six innings. The A’s haven’t made an error in the past seven games, as well.
“We have a loose vibe,” Crisp said. “I think the key to our success has been the success of our pitching. And our defense has been doing a great job. And when those two show up, then you stand a better chance of winning ball games.
“All and all, we’re just having fun now, not pressing so much.”
It makes for a pretty picture in what had been for 3½ months a bleak landscape.
The Crisp and Davis n homers in the eighth came off Matt Bush, who had a 2.01 ERA and allowed just one homer in 31 games before running afoul of Oakland.
Manaea allowed 11 hits n in 62⁄3 innings, but he kept the A’s in the game by not walking anyone. He has a streak of 262⁄3 innings without a walk allowed, something he credits to working with pitching coach Curt Young and bullpen coach Scott Emerson.
Dillon Overton, the n left-handed rookie who has helped pitch the A’s to two wins in three starts, will be recalled from Triple-A Nashville to start Saturday against the Indians.
Hill remains probable n for Sunday’s series finale, but if his blister problems have not yet been resolved, then Sonny Gray would get the start, taking advantage of the off-day Thursday. Hill’s left middle finger is clearing up nicely, but Hill would like it to heal faster. “The skin there still feels a little thin,” he said. “It’s a little frustrating that it’s taking as long as it has. But if I throw too soon and the blister breaks again, it’d be a long time before I’m out there.”
Reliever Sean Doolittle n played catch Tuesday, throwing a baseball up to 75 feet and will attempt to stretch it out to 90 feet Friday as he seeks to pitch his way back after a left shoulder strain.
Reliever Andrew n Triggs (bruised shin) went out on a rehab assignment and threw one inning and allowed a run in relief while pitching for Triple-A Nashville. He’ll take a day off, then throw two innings Thursday.