Reddick's Hot Play Since Return, A Welcome Sight For Athletics
By Matt Furtado / KHTK Sports 1140
The Oakland Athletics beat the Houston Astros Tuesday night after a six run ninth inning comeback. It was a complete team effort, but Josh Reddick's play was key to the victory.
Not only did he contribute at the plate with a solo home run in the sixth and a very important double to propel the rally in the ninth, but he also filled in for the injured Coco Crisp to play the very spacious center field in Houston.
In the eight games since Reddick came off the Disabled List on July 22, the right fielder has been hot at the plate hitting for a .333 average and has maintained his gold glove defense. His season average has gone up 17 points in the last eight games leaving him at .246 on the season.
Reddick seems unfazed by his right knee which put him on the DL and his power stroke seems to be benefiting from being healthy. His four doubles and two home runs in the past eight games has helped the Athletics to win five games since his return.
The Athletics have only played the Astros and the Texas Rangers, who hold the two worst records in baseball, since his return, so the true test for Reddick will come when the Green and Gold face off against the Kansas City Royals and Tampa Rays during the next home stand.
With the severity of Crisp's injury and how long he will be out of the lineup still unknown, and Craig Gentry also on the DL, the Athletics are going to need Reddick to keep playing well.
Until Crisp and Gentry come back, look for Reddick, Yoenis Cespedes, and Billy Burns to fill the hole in center field.