They’ve debuted a new power-hitting rookie third baseman, Ryon Healy, whose first hit Saturday was a three-run homer in a 5-4 win over Toronto.
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“It’s complicated by what the alternatives will be, how he’s performing, the fact that he’s had so much down time”, said Atkins. “You’ve got to get ahead”.
“Seeing that potential of a guy who could become an everyday player and impact the team with a larger role, it felt like it made sense to see if he was interested in an extension”, said Atkins, adding that negotiations were relatively quick, with the two sides sorting out the details over the all-star break.
The A’s welcomed the start of the second half of the season Friday with an 8-7 win fueled by big performances from the middle of the lineup.
But, a bit of fire proved to be exactly what the green and gold needed, serving as the prelude to a come-from-behind 8-7 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Friday night, with late-inning heroics from the team’s sole All-Star representative. He ripped a ball into the left-field corner for two runs, earning a win for veteran Jason Grilli who had pitched a flawless eighth. Donaldson popped out in foul ground behind third base to end the threat. “Today I was able to see it and get into a favourable count where I was able to zone up a little more and I was able to sneak it down the line”. But with a solid game in Minnesota before the break – six innings, one run but a loss – followed up by his first win in nearly three months Saturday, there is a sense things might be breaking his way.
Happ had won six consecutive starts but left after getting hit by line drives twice, including once near his left elbow by Jake Smolinski’s liner in the fifth.
“We love Toronto, me and my family, and we wanted to stay here as long as we can”, Smoak said. “I’ve been told it will be 4-6 weeks before I can be back”, Rodriguez said. “It was a non-issue after that”. “I knew I was safe”.
The A’s pulled even with three run in the sixth. Davis opened the bottom of the second with a solo homer to left, then after Stephen Vogt singled and Marcus Semien walked, Healy delivered his first major league hit. Reddick’s hard shot followed, and then things went wrong for Happ, hurt by a Danny Valencia single and a walk to Khris Davis that forced him out of the game.
Starter Daniel Mengden (ND, 1-4, 5.54 ERA) came into the game having given up 10 runs in 10 innings spanning his final two starts of the first half, and he was worse Friday, giving up seven runs (six earned) in 3-1/3 innings pitched.
Gibbons admitted he had concerns Happ’s arm might stiffen.
“It’s always nice to be back here”, he said. “He got through the (fifth) inning and he was sitting there”.
“You never want to lose three in a row, no matter when it is or who you’re playing”, said Donaldson. So we went to Chavez.
A 2007 draft choice, Donaldson spent parts of six seasons in the minor leagues before establishing himself as a big-leaguer. Happ (12-3, 3.36 ERA) has already tied his career high for wins in a season. His last defeat this year was June 6 in Detroit.
Hill wasn’t the only A’s pitcher hurting. “I feel really good and feel good about that”. Devon Travis struck out looking before Donaldson lined a 2-1 pitch down the left field line to drive in pinch-runner Andy Burns and Lake. Triggs replaced him but left after the first inning with a left calf contusion.
Josh Thole had two hits, including a two-run double in the second.After Gray exited, Ryan Dull pitched a flawless seventh and John Axford a ideal eighth, but Smoak sent Ryan Madson’s 2-2 pitch over the right-center wall to lead off the ninth.
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Closer Roberto Osuna tossed a ideal ninth to secure the victory for Grilli, recording his 19th save of the season.
