A’s provide hope for future after sweeping Rangers

OAKLAND >> While Bruce Maxwell’s decision to kneel for the anthem has taken center stage, the A’s quietly keep providing hope for next season by tearing through their opposition.

A five-run outburst in the fifth inning provided Jharel Cotton with plenty of support in an 8-1 win over the Texas Rangers on Sunday. The victory sealed a three-game sweep of the Rangers, effectively crushing their playoff aspirations as the A’s pushed them to 5½ games back in the wild card race with seven games remaining.

The A’s began September 0-5. They’ve now won 14 of their last 17 since, and are riding a seven game win streak.

“It’s been exciting. This is probably the best feeling we’ve had as a team all year here recently,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said before the game. “All these guys that have come up have really given us hope and an expectation and confidence going into next season. This is what we want to create for next year. Finish up strong and go into the offseason with a positive outlook.”

The organization’s bright young stars got it done both at the plate and on the mound Sunday.

Matt Chapman sparked the five-run fifth with a double off Martin Perez to drive home Josh Phegley. Jed Lowrie then drove in two more with a single to right, and Khris Davis delivered a devastating blow in the form of a two-run home run to center off Perez — his 41st home run of the season.

The ability to string together multiple hits for big innings was missing through the first five months of the season. Now making it a regularity, the A’s hope to carry over the success into spring training.

“We’ve got a young core that’s just loose and playing to have fun,” Phegley said. “It’s been kind of a disappointing season up until the last month and a half, but I feel like now we’re just relaxed and playing our game.

“We need to take a lesson from that and play like that all the time,” he continued. “I think we can come into next year with that same mentality.”

Phegley also sees endless potential with this young roster. Like with all young teams, he believes they’ve fallen victim to placing too much pressure on themselves to show they belong.

Phegley feels that pressure will wear off as the rookies and second-year guys continue to mature.

“Times where we can’t get things going offensively get contagious,” Phegley said. “Same with our pitchers. We score runs and our pitchers feel they need to throw gems every day. There’s no pressure right now and we’re showing what we can do.”

Cotton only went five innings, but they were all dominant. He struck out six and allowed just one hit in his first start back after he was scratched from his previously scheduled outing with a groin strain.

“He came out today throwing 95 miles per hour at times and had a changeup with at least a 15-mile-an-hour gap to it,” Melvin said. “He can make you look pretty silly with the changeup, so he had it all working today. His focus is trying to finish strong. It’s been a rocky up and down season, but you finish up strong, you feel good heading into the offseason.”

Cotton came out of the game a little earlier than expected with elbow tightness, but Melvin was not concerned about him potentially missing his next start.

Sitting at 9-10, Cotton would love nothing more than to finish an inconsistent year with double-digit wins.

“I want to go out and finish strong in my last start. Go into the offseason with a chip on my shoulder,” Cotton said. “Just get through my last game and do what I have to do.”

While Maxwell’s protest had the potential to become a distraction, it does not seem to be affecting the A’s in any sort of negative way.

“I was worried about yesterday, but I think we responded and played a good game,” Melvin said. “(Maxwell) took care of all that before the game and it ended up being a good day for us.”

• Maxwell may be able to return as soon as Monday. The catcher was feeling much better before Sunday’s game, and Melvin said him could return to the starting lineup if he passes the final concussion protocol tests.

• Chad Pinder may not return this season. What was originally thought to be a whiplash effect after colliding with the wall out in center field Friday night turned out to be much worse. Pinder was going through concussion protocol before Sunday’s game.

“He hasn’t felt too terribly great. We sent him home for the game yesterday,” Melvin said. “He’s a tough guy and he wants to play, but he’s just not to the point right now where he can. Now he has to pass the proper tests that he has to do to get back.

“He wants to get back because he’s had such a strong year for us and wants to finish up strong, but I really can’t handicap it or rule out the fact that he might not come back this year.”

• Boog Powell is in the same boat as Pinder. The outfielder is still unable to run the bases, and his swollen left kneecap could also keep him out for the remainder of the season.

• Matt Olson exited the game in the seventh after appearing to injure his hamstring after stretching out for a ball at first base. Melvin said the club will wait to see how Olson feels on Monday.