Canha homers in 10th inning, rallies A's past Mariners 3-1

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Mark Canha hit a two-out, two-run home run in the 10th inning, lifting the Oakland Athletics to a 3-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.

The Mariners had taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the 10th when pinch-runner Dee Strange-Gordon – playing in his 1,000th career game – scored on a passed ball.

The A’s came back with the majors-leading sixth walkoff win.

Ramon Laureano hit a two-out double to drive in Sean Murphy, who began the inning at second base. Canha followed with a deep drive on a 1-1 pitch from Joey Gerber (1-1) that cleared the fence in right. It was Canha’s second game-ending hit this season.

“We have a lot of guys that are clutch. Ramon’s one of those guys and I consider myself one of those guys,” Canha said. “The moment’s never too big for us as a team. We have that kind of special ability to win in dramatic fashion. It’s a good thing to have.”

The A’s (35-22) moved past the Minnesota Twins (35-23) in the race for the second seed in the AL. Oakland had lost three of four and five of 11.

Manager Bob Melvin, who admitted before the game that his ballclub has been pressing, noted the importance of the A’s getting homefield advantage in the playoffs if they can hold on.

“You give us a chance late and we’ve shown that we can win games like that here at home,” Melvin said. “It’s a little different on the road when you don’t have the last at-bat.”

Both teams were held scoreless through nine innings before the offenses broke through.

Jake Diekman (2-0) retired three batters to claim win.

Gordon put the Mariners ahead 1-0 after sitting on the bench for the first nine innings.

After Strange-Gordon moved to third on pinch-hitter Luis Torrens’ long fly to right, Evan White swung and missed...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Canha-homers-in-10th-inning-rallies-A-s-past-15598931.php