Healy's power display resonates with A's

OAKLAND -- It sounded like a no-doubt home run. It looked like a no-doubt home run. But Ryon Healy wasn't so sure.
In the third inning of Thursday's 5-1 victory over the Angels, the A's slugger absolutely unloaded on a pitch from Angels starter Tyler Skaggs. But he wasn't convinced it was out of the park until it finally landed halfway up the left-center field bleachers, an estimated 430 feet from home plate.
Healy's mammoth two-run blast highlighted a four-run outburst for the A's, who split the four-game series against the Angels .
"I had a feeling [it was gone] after I got enough barrel on it," Healy said. "Wasn't sure with the weather today, so I had to make sure I ran hard down the line."
No sprinting necessary. Healy was probably just playing it coy.
After bursting on the scene as a rookie in 2016, Healy has flashed his power during Oakland's opening homestand with two big home run blasts. The Angels' pitching staff is probably glad to be leaving town, as Healy has posted a .354 average (17-for-48) with four homers and 11 RBIs in 13 career contests against the Halos.
"Just trying to put good swings on to good pitches," Healy said. "Feel like I've been staying in the zone pretty good, and just been grinding out in the cages trying to get my swing locked in."
Thursday also marked something of a career milestone for Healy, as he played first base for the first time at the MLB level. Granted, Healy had been playing first base throughout his career before reaching the big leagues, but he had no hiccups in the field and made a trio of routine defensive plays.
A's manager Melvin has repeatedly said he'd like to find ways to keep Healy's bat in the lineup -- whether he's playing first, third or designated hitter -- and on Thursday the 25-year-old showed why.
"The ball does make a little bit different sound off his bat," A's manager Bob Melvin said.
Healy suffered a bit of a scare in the sixth inning when he fouled a ball off the top of his left foot. Melvin and an A's trainer came out to check on Healy, but he stayed in to finish the at-bat. Yonder Alonso eventually took over for Healy at first base to finish the game, but Melvin said it was more of a defensive move.
"It was totally fine," Healy said of his foot. "I didn't have an issue with that."