Piscotty hits A's 2nd walkoff slam this year, beats Rangers

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Walkoff grand slams are becoming such old hat for the Oakland Athletics this season that they have learned to celebrate in a more socially distant manner.

Stephen Piscotty hit Oakland’s second game-ending slam of the year and the A's beat the Texas Rangers 5-1 Tuesday night for their fourth straight win.

“It's a lot of fun,” Piscotty said. “Pretty unique for that to happen in such a short amount of time. It's a lot of fun celebrating like that.”

The A's even toned down their celebration after getting some heat for failing to socially distance when mobbing Matt Olson after his opening night slam against the Angels.

Piscotty got some high-fives and a Gatorade shower but his teammates mostly kept their distance.

“I think we'd all seen a few walkoff homers and the way other teams were doing it,” Piscotty said. “Trying to be a little more distant there. Hard to control the emotions but we did a decent job I think.”

The late-game theatrics helped the A’s win on a night when prized pitching prospect Jesus Luzardo pitched five scoreless innings in his first career start for Oakland and Texas starter Lance Lynn allowed first run of the season.

Edinson Volquez (0-1) got into trouble quickly in the ninth inning when he walked two batters and gave up a hit to load the bases with nobody out.

Volquez retired Robbie Grossman on a popup before Piscotty hit a first-pitch drive off Jesse Chavez over the wall in center to help the A's become the 17th team with two walkoff slams in the same season.

Liam Hendriks (1-0) pitched a perfect ninth for the win.

Lynn had allowed just five hits in 18 scoreless innings to begin the season before finally faltering in the seventh against the A’s. Matt Chapman led off the frame with a drive to...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Piscotty-hits-A-s-2nd-walkoff-slam-this-year-15459521.php