A’s ‘fight’ on full display in epic comeback win over Rockies originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
OAKLAND – A five-letter word has floated in and around the Coliseum and followed the Athletics through their rugged 2024 MLB season thus far.
The word “fight” has been echoed and repeated amongst A’s manager Mark Kotsay and several Oakland players while describing the team’s recent efforts – and it was reiterated with great pride following Thursday’s unimaginable 10-9 win over the Colorado Rockies.
Less than 24 hours prior, the A’s were in a similar position – with a different outcome. A late Oakland rally forced extra innings, but Ryan McMahon hit a two-run home run in the 12th inning as the Rockies hung on to beat the A’s 4-3 on Wednesday night.
Despite Wednesday’s loss, Kotsay lauded Oakland’s effort and credited his team for the fight they showed.
The following day, Kotsay sat in the media press conference room and uttered that same word.
This time, it was following a victory. But not just any victory.
Oakland hit two game-tying homers and scored five runs in the 11th inning to secure the thrilling victory and its first series win since May 4.
“These guys, they don’t quit. Today’s an example of that,” Kotsay said postgame Thursday. “The unity that they’ve stuck together. The teamwork that they’ve created. The culture in there came out today, as an example of the win.”
The A’s already have had two 10-game road trips this season. They went 4-6 in their first and 1-9 in their most recent. Aside from the numbers and the records, it was after the first road trip that Kotsay noticed something change.
Kotsay said the guys got together after leaving Baltimore to lean on each other and discuss how they can improve. The team bonding that late April night helped spark something special that Kotsay believes impacted Thursday’s win.
“Last road trip they got together after we left Baltimore and talked about those specific things,” Kotsay recalled. “Losing can always infect a negative culture and it can separate – whether it’s on the playing field or off the playing field.
“We got off that road trip with a day off, I know a lot of the guys spent the day together, bonding and creating that friendship and that unity – and I think today was a perfect example of it.”
It was a similar sentiment JJ Bleday felt Thursday, but the Athletics outfielder credited the team’s fight to the type of guys that fill Oakland’s locker…