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OAKLAND – Last year, the A launched 227 incredible circuits, the third highest number of all baseball teams. Oakland, however, experienced a small power failure early in the season.
Between April 15 and May 12, in the span of 23 games, the A's only scored 15 homers, making it the second overall among the majors. But on their last road trip, Oakland regained its strength, recording 21 homers in nine games.
So what has changed?
"We started having more competitive strikes," said A coach-coach Darren Bush. "We pushed them into the pitchers account, the guys missed the shots and got better shots, one to nine, and once you start doing that, they have to throw more and they'll make mistakes. , and we took advantage of them. "
Receiver Josh Phegley subscribed to Bush's assessment, reiterating the importance of patience facing the plate.
"I think you see that the numbers of power start to rise when we are a little more patient and make sure the launchers work," he said. "I had the impression of seeing guys who threw breakers, but we fired them and forced them to come and see us to count the hitters and got some quick shots to hit."
The most impressive aspect of the surge of the road, it is perhaps what he did with a wounded Khris Davis. Oakland's top hitter was behind two of the 21 homers in the fight against left / left hip contusion, but Mark Canha led the way with five.
"Canha basically did what KD does for us," said A director Bob Melvin. "I had the impression of having KD out there, even though he will obviously be missed, but we have already seen Mark Canha do the same thing in the past, where he has an opportunity and it produces, and you get consistent behavior and it strikes at home. "
Canha has caught fire since returning from a sprained right wrist, totaling five homers and 10 runs produced in just eight games.
"It's nice to see the results and the circuits," he said. "It's a fun way to play, it's a bit counterintuitive, I think, I think we have to go back, we've started to have good approaches, typing, counting and things like that, and the goals showed. "
[[[[RELATED: Davis lands in Illah, recalls Bolt]
Oakland now has nine different players and at least five home runs, not counting Matt Olson, who has four since his return from a hand injury. Clearly, there is no easy way out in the composition of the A, something Bush is very proud of.
"You have to come in and fight for every shot," he said. "If they make throws, you have to find a way to fight them because they will make mistakes, but they will not just give in. You have to win them."
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