A’s forgotten star Davis carries on despite slump
Athletics manager Bob Melvin had the pleasure of putting the name of Khris Davis on his lineup card Wednesday against the Texas Rangers.
If Davis can begin hitting home runs again, he can stay there.
But it’s been more than a calendar year and a span of 116 games since Davis was one of baseball’s premiere home run hitters. Davis, hitting .161 with a home run and six RBIs, got the start at designated hitter against Texas left-hander Kolby Allard. He’s hitting .263 against left-handers and just .108 against righthanders.
Davis’ troubles can be traced back to May 5 of last
season when he was injured on, of all things, a defensive play. In the lineup in left field with no designated hitter available against the National League Pittsburgh Pirates, Davis reached over a rail to make a difficult catch and had a left hip injury and oblique contusion.
There was a short stint on the disabled list, but the Davis that returned was not the same player. Since joining the Athletics in 2016, Davis hit a home run every 14 at-bats — 133 of them. Since that play, Davis has 10 home runs and a home run every 45 at-bats.
“It’s hard. It’s hard for me not to put him in the lineup,” Melvin said in a Zoom teleconference. “He’s been such a force for us for years. It’s been tough for him, but he also understands, and he doesn’t get upset about it. He continues to work and wants to contribute.”
The Athletics have learned to win without Davis at top form, going 103-54 since last May 5. That includes an American League best 21-10 heading in to Wednesday night’s game against the Rangers.
The hope was Davis, 32, would work out his issues during spring training and get back to normal. Then came the suspension of spring training due to the coronavirus pandemic and the eventual resumption of a short-sprint 60-game season.
Any hope of continuity was gone. With Davis struggling, Mark Canha playing the best baseball of his career and Robbie Grossman producing as an outfielder, it’s hard to find a way to get Davis in the lineup without putting Canha on the bench.
Melvin said he couldn’t ask any more of Davis in terms of attitude and outlook.
A two-year contract extension signed on April 12 of last year worth $33 million only adds to the awkwardness of having Davis planted on the bench more often than not.
“He’s as good as you could be,” Melvin said. “A star like him could potentilly be a problem and he’s anything but.”
Center fielder Ramon Laureano said he’s seen no difference in Davis with regard to his interaction with his teammates.
“K.D. works hard every single day, getting better,” Laureano said. “It’s a short season, and it’s how things are. K.D. has been great in the clubhouse. He’s been very supportive, cheering for everyone else. I look up to him a lot.” HEADACHE, BUT NO CONCUSSION FOR CHAPMAN >> Matt Chapman was held out of the lineup a day after he was struck over the left ear flap of his batting helmet by Rangers starting pitcher Kyle Gibson.
Chapman, according to Melvin, is not in concussion protocol and is expected to play today in the series finale against the Rangers.
“Had a little bit of a headache. Came in today, felt pretty good,” Melvin said. “Once he started hitting in the cage, the headache came back. A little bit tender where he got hit. No concussion. We feel like he’ll play (Thursday) but didn’t want to mess around with tonight. We’ll give him the night off.”
After being hit by Gibson, Chapman remained in the game and played until its completion. Vinmael Machin drew the start in place of Chapman.
NO TALK OF BOYCOTT BY A’S, RANGERS >> Melvin said there had been no discussion of boycotting the game with the news that the Milwaukee Brewers had followed the lead of the NBA and decided not to play against the Cincinnati Reds in the wake of the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
“At this point we have not talked bout this particular issue,” Melvin said. “If anybody wants to, obviously we will.”
Melvin said of the Brewers decision protest: “You support it. It’s action, it’s not just talk. And the NBA as well. we’ll see where things go from here.”
A’s players took the field for warmups wearing Black Lives Matter T-shirts. LAUREANO’S HAIRCUT UNRELATED TO SLUMP >> Center fielder Ramon Laureano came to Texas with the shortest hair he’s had since joining the A’s, but it had nothing to do with trying to shake a mini-slump which has come after his fourgame suspension.
Laureano said he was attempting to give himself a haircut, the clippers slipped, and, well ...
“I was like dang, I gotta shave the whole thing now,” Laureano said in a zoom teleconference.
After being out Aug. 14-17 since his confrontation with Astros coach Alex Cintron, Laureano went in to Wednesday night’s game in a 3-for-28 slide with four walks. Melvin dropped both Laureano and Matt Olson in the lineup Tuesday night in hopes of taking off some pressure.
“I’m just not hitting the ball and I’m taking a lot of pitches right down the middle,” Laureano said. “Got to find ways to work in the cage, with hitting coaches, get my work in.”
• Melvin said reports of a hurricane headed toward the Houston area indicate the Athletics could be able to get out of Arlington as scheduled today for their three-game series in Houston which begins Friday.
• Chad Pinder remains on the paternity list, but Melvin said the first child of Pinder and his wife has yet to be born. Franklin Barreto got his first start of the season at second base, backed up by Tony Kemp.