Gelof hits the ground running with first HR: ‘We’re glad he’s here’

OAKLAND — Every time an A’s participant hits a house run this season, the protocol upon returning to the dugout is to obtain the celebratory dwelling run hammer and make his method via a line of high-fives. So when Zack Gelof made his method again from his journey across the bases on Saturday night time, the confusion on his face was comprehensible.

Makes an attempt by Gelof to high-five his teammates have been met with nothing however air and straight faces as he walked all the best way again to the bat rack. A number of seconds after stowing away his helmet, the whole dugout erupted as one and mobbed the rookie second baseman.

“I actually didn’t know what was happening on the time,” Gelof stated. “I figured it out fairly rapidly and was simply making an attempt to have enjoyable with it. Have some enjoyable with the blokes.”

It was the traditional silent therapy, which Gelof acquired after turning on a 98 mph fastball from Ryne Stanek and sending it over the Coliseum out-of-town scoreboard in proper area for his first profession dwelling run in a 4-1 victory over the Astros.

The win snapped Oakland’s nine-game dropping streak in opposition to Houston relationship again to final season, and it was one which Gelof had his fingers throughout. Previous to the solo shot within the seventh, he sparked a two-run sixth for the A’s by roping a 106.3 mph single into left area with one out to interrupt up Cristian Javier’s no-hit bid.

“Zack received us going there within the sixth with a fantastic at-bat,” A’s supervisor Mark Kotsay stated. “He brings power and a degree of confidence that you just wish to see from a younger participant. Hopefully, this simply continues for him, and he can solidify this chance and seize what’s in entrance of him.”

Rated Oakland’s No. 3 prospect by MLB PipelineGelof is considered as a key constructing block in what the A’s imagine is a vibrant future. Referred to as as much as the Majors together with No. 1 prospect Tyler Soderstrom on July 14, Gelof has rapidly endeared himself to his teammates and coaches for the passion and confidence he exudes each day.

“He’s been swinging the bat very well and taking part in good protection,” stated A’s starter Paul Blackburn, who took a no-decision after limiting Houston to 1 run on 5 hits and three walks with 5 strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. “It’s all the time thrilling once you come up as a rookie and are form of on cloud 9. … When you’ve gotten gamers like that who go on the market and play onerous, it undoubtedly form of feeds into the blokes which have gone via the grind this 12 months.”

Very similar to he did all through the Minor Leagues, Gelof has rapidly made an impression within the Majors. With two hits and a stroll on Saturday, he’s now hitting .276 (8-for-29) with a .916 OPS over his first eight video games.

“Zack is a child that’s actually motivated,” Kotsay stated. “We noticed that in Spring Coaching. He needed to make the group out of Spring Coaching. I’m certain he was upset, however he went to Triple-A and what he’s accomplished in Triple-A received him to the massive leagues. We’re glad he’s right here.”

For a rebuilding A’s membership, the arrival of younger prospects resembling Gelof presents a chance to inject some life right into a group that endured a depressing first half and stays on tempo to lose effectively over 100 video games this season. That has been evident throughout this homestand, which noticed the A’s beforehand take two of three from the Pink Sox and in place on Sunday to doubtlessly break up a four-game collection in opposition to the defending World Sequence champion Astros.

“It’s been superior and nothing however assist from the veteran guys and all my teammates,” Gelof stated of his first week within the large leagues. “I’m simply making an attempt to have enjoyable, deliver some power to this group and attempt to win as many video games as we will. … Something I can do to deliver one thing to this group. If optimistic power is that, I’m going to try this.”