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While wins and losses during the spring are way down the priority list, you have to take notice when someone pulls off a big comeback like the Oakland Athletics did Friday. The A’s overcame an 11-5 deficit in the ninth, scoring seven times to beat the Texas Rangers 12-11 with the big blow coming on a walk-off grand slam by Kevin Smith.
Light the berm, Kevin Smith! pic.twitter.com/dm8Y9WKkSs
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) March 10, 2023
Smith came over from Toronto in the Matt Chapman trade and largely flopped at the major league level producing a 48 wRC+ in just 151 plate appearances. He wasn’t much better at Triple A either where his strikeout rate ballooned to over 30% while producing a 90 wRC+.
Due to his struggles last season, there wasn’t much expectation for Smith coming into the spring. However, he has played well going 8-for-20 at the plate with a double and a pair of homers. There is still a long way to go in the Cactus League schedule, but Smith is again looking like he could be a useful player for the A’s and could land a spot on the Opening Day roster.
A’s Coverage
- A’s option Adrian Martinez to Triple A
- (Gallegos) Often overlooked, Garcia vying for role in A’s bullpen
- (Kawahara) How A’s Paul Blackburn prepared himself for MLB’s pitch timer in a hurry
- (Kawahara) A’s Adam Oller, with ‘back against the wall,’ sharp in Cactus League start
- Jesus Alou, youngest of famed brother trio, dies at 80
- Oakland A’s Community Prospect List No. 22
MLB news
- Rockies showing interest in Jurickson Profar
- Juan Soto expected to be full-go in Classic play
- Keibert Ruiz, Nationals agree on eight-year extension
- Harrison Bader dealing with left oblique strain, Opening Day in doubt
Best of Twitter
Here is your daily Lawrence Butler highlight
Lawrence Butler keeps the A's alive with his hustle pic.twitter.com/Uc8MJxFHRE
— The Rickey Henderson of Blogs (@RickeyBlog) March 10, 2023
RIP Jesus Alou
Former A's outfielder Jesus Alou has passed away at the age of 80. Alou hit .306 in 108 at-bats for the A's in 1973 and appeared in the 1973 & 1974 World Series for the A's championship teams. pic.twitter.com/qR7E2t8jHk
— Athletics Farm (@AthleticsFarm) March 11, 2023
Who is your favorite Mario Kart character?
It's a meeeee pic.twitter.com/eezdOnslTF
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) March 11, 2023
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