A's Davis Hits Walk-Off Slam To Beat Rangers 8-5
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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Khris Davis surprised himself with his first career grand slam, putting the finishing touches on his sensational performance at the plate and a wild ninth inning against Texas.
Davis hit a game-ending slam with two outs in the bottom of the ninth for his third homer of the night, giving the Oakland Athletics an 8-5 victory over the Rangers on Tuesday.
"The adrenaline was pumping so fast; it was an amazing feeling," Davis said. "It was pretty extraordinary to see the fans go off the way they did. It was a rush."
Ian Desmond hit a two-run homer off Ryan Madson (2-0) in the top of the ninth to put Texas ahead 5-4, but Davis and the A's weren't done.
"In a way, I'm glad it worked out the way it did," Madson said. "An outcome like that was so fun to watch."
Pinch-hitter Stephen Vogt reached on an infield single and went to third on Coco Crisp's double. Two outs and an intentional walk later, Davis launched a drive to left field off Shawn Tolleson (0-2), handing the Rangers' closer his fourth blown save.
"It's frustrating," Tolleson said. "Our guys battle all game long and for Ian to come up with that big home run there to take the lead -- they're counting on me to get three outs and when I don't get it done it's frustrating."
With his excited teammates waiting at home plate, Davis stopped along the third base line and mimicked a pull-up jumper with his helmet as if he were Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry next door in the NBA playoffs.
"It was a swish," Davis said. "I can dunk, too."
It was the first three-homer game for Davis, who matched his career high with six RBIs. Thanks to his power display, the A's recovered from Madson's first blown save of the year and won their third straight game.
Danny Valencia also homered and drove in a pair of runs for Oakland. Jesse Hahn, called up from the minors to make the start, gave up three runs and 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings.
The A's remain the only team in the majors without a starting pitcher who has lasted more than seven innings this season, extending their current streak to a franchise-record 78 games.
Oakland has 12 home runs in its last five games after hitting six in its previous 11.
Davis has 30 homers since Aug. 6, one more than Colorado's Nolan Arenado for most in the majors during that span.
Adrian Beltre and Nomar Mazara also homered for the Rangers. Every starter had a hit for Texas.
Cole Hamels allowed four runs -- three earned -- and nine hits over 6 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out six.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rangers: Jurickson Profar has begun to play second base at Triple-A Round Rock in anticipation of Rougned Odor serving his suspension. Odor was suspended eight games and fined $5,000 by Major League Baseball on Tuesday for punching Toronto slugger Jose Bautista in the jaw during Sunday's brawl in Texas. Odor appealed and is allowed to play pending a resolution. ... RHP Yu Darvish (right elbow surgery) threw 68 pitches in five innings in his latest rehab start and could possibly make another start this weekend before rejoining the Rangers. ... OF Shin-Soo Choo (strained right calf muscle) also appears to be on the way back. He'll play in at least one more game at Triple-A.
Athletics: OF Mark Canha will undergo season-ending surgery on his back. He's one of 11 A's on the disabled list, the most at any one time since 1989. ... C Josh Phegley went on the DL before the game and the A's recalled C Max Muncy.
UP NEXT
Rangers: LHP Martin Perez (1-3, 3.23 ERA) starts Wednesday's series finale hoping for a little bit of luck. The Rangers have not scored a run while he's been on the mound over his last two starts, and he's been the starter both times Texas has been shut out this year. Perez threw a three-hit shutout in Oakland two years ago. "That's what I plan to do tomorrow," he said. "But that's my goal every fifth day."
Athletics: LHP Rich Hill (5-3, 2.68) has been Oakland's best starter so far, though he is 0-3 at home. He's given up two homers in 43 2/3 innings and has an 0.90 ERA from the fourth inning on.
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