Chad Pinder sets Oakland A’s franchise record

Chad Pinder may be in the midst of a disappointing season, but he still made history for the Oakland A’s on Tuesday.

He entered the game as a pinch hitter for Vimael Machin in the fifth inning and made an immediate impact, belting a three run homer to temporarily tie the game at 9-9. That home run was his sixth career pinch hit homer, surpassing Matt Stairs for the most in franchise history.

Chad Pinder leaves mark on Oakland A’s

Pinder stayed in the game after that plate appearance, originally taking over for Machin at third before shifting to left. He also notched a single in the 10-9 slugfest. It is also a game that showed why Pinder is valued by the A’s and why they have a tough decision to make this offseason.

He could well be a bargain. Even with that burst on Tuesday, his 88 OPS+ is the worst mark he has had in any full season in the majors. He has provided a bit of pop with 11 homers and 16 doubles, but his 30.7% strikeout rate and 3.6% walk rate are the worst of his career.

That does not mean that Pinder is without value. His ability to slot around the diamond and play virtually anywhere makes him a valued utility man off the bench. He showed every reason why as he played two positions and belted that homer on Tuesday.

Chances are, Pinder is in his final weeks as a member of the Oakland A’s. No matter how much they may value him as a player, they are not going to spend any money in free agency. That left him just enough time to ensure his name remained in their history books with that fifth inning blast.

Chad Pinder put himself in the Oakland A’s history books. His sixth career pinch hit homer is now the most in franchise history.