Oakland Athletics Recap 5/17: Davis Slams 3 HR, A’s Win 8-5
Oakland Athletics Recap 5/17: Khris Davis Krushes A Walk Off Grand Slam, A’s Win 8-5
The Oakland Athletics played a well fought ballgame today against the Texas Rangers and came ahead in the bottom of the ninth inning. Khris Davis may forever be a hero for the Athletics thanks to his valiant effort tonight. Davis hit a total of three home runs today and was responsible for six RBI. He was the very model of a true outcome player, as in his other two at bats he struck out. Nevertheless, fans will not forget as he dominated Texas pitching tonight.
The starting pitching tonight was solid though hit-prone. Both Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels and A’s pitcher Jesse Hahn went 6 2/3 innings, and they had very similar stat lines. Hamels allowed nine hits, four runs (three earned) and struck out six, while Hahn permitted ten hits and three runs while striking out two. The bullpen for both teams was again similar as the set-up men for both teams (Matt Bush for Texas and Sean Doolittle for Oakland) allowed no runs in 1 1/3 innings, and both closers blew their chance at a save. Ryan Madson allowed a two-run homer to Ian Desmond in the top of the ninth inning and barely got out of the inning alive, as Billy Burns had to throw out Nomar Mazara on a play at the plate to get the A’s to bat.
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But with Texas closer Shawn Tolleson pitching, the A’s went to work. Before the game, Tolleson was 12-for-28 against left handed batting this year, and he had given up three blown saves this year including his last appearance on May 14. Stephen Vogt singled on a ground ball that Tolleson couldn’t field, and Coco Crisp doubled down to right field as Mazara threw the ball to home plate as opposed to stopping Crisp from going to second.
Then came the fireworks.
After a Burns popout, a Josh Reddick intentional base on balls, and a
flyout, Khris Davis came up. Tolleson could not throw strikes with anything but his fastball, and challenged three pitches down the middle that Davis fouled off. Thinking he had the upper hand, Tolleson tried again with the fastball, and Davis annihilated it as it landed in the left field bleachers. As an A’s fan, one could not write a better ending to a baseball game than that. With
missing the rest of the season with a hip impingement, the A’s will lean on Davis the rest of the year, and he proved today that he can deliver.
Next: Mark Canha To Miss Rest Of Season
The A’s go for the sweep against Texas tomorrow afternoon in Oakland Coliseum. Rich Hill (5-3, 2.68 ERA) will go against Martin Perez (1-3, 3.23 ERA). First pitch is 12:35 PM PST.