Abraham Toro came through with a crucial two-run single in the sixth inning, leading the Oakland Athletics to a 7-6 comeback victory over the Washington Nationals on Sunday. This win marked the A’s first three consecutive series victories since 2021.
Following a successful trip to Detroit and Texas where they won four out of six games, Oakland continued their winning streak by taking two out of three games in their recent series. After a slow start to the season with a 1-6 record, the A’s have now improved to 6-3.
Manager Mark Kotsay praised the team’s resilience, especially in their ability to come from behind and secure the win, a feat they struggled with last year.
Lawrence Butler, who had a strong performance, reaching base four times, highlighted the positive team chemistry in the clubhouse, even after losses.
Despite a lower attendance due to the ongoing situation, a crowd of 8,637 showed up for the game, contributing to a total attendance of 17,744 for the three-game series.
In the sixth inning, the Nationals held a 6-1 lead until Toro’s walk sparked a rally for the A’s. Key hits from Tyler Nevin, Lawrence Butler, and Toro himself helped Oakland cut the deficit to 6-4.
Feeling a lack of energy in the dugout early in the game, Kotsay motivated his team with some encouraging words, urging them to play with more energy and resilience. Butler noted that Kotsay’s usually calm demeanor shifted as he felt the need to address the team’s energy levels.
Butler credited Kotsay’s pep talk for sparking the team’s comeback, suggesting that such motivational speeches might become more frequent if they continue to yield positive results.
