A's belief in Stephen Vogt pays off vs. Texas

ARLINGTON -- When it comes to high-leverage situations, A’s manager Mark Kotsay believes in Stephen Vogt.

The "why" is no surprise. There’s a reason why A’s fans chant “I believe in Stephen Vogt” when he’s up to bat in those situations.

"Stephen's been there," said manager Mark Kotsay after Wednesday's 8-7 win over the Rangers at Globe Life Field. "I mean, he’s one of the players on this team that’s got the experience in those big moments.”

After Vimael Machín tied the game with a two-out RBI double in the ninth against Texas right-hander José Leclerc, Kotsay called on Vogt to pinch-hit for Dermis Garcia. Vogt chopped one to Corey Seager up the middle, and what could have been a routine inning-ending putout to first ended in an error as Seager couldn't corral the ball, allowing Machín to score the go-ahead run while Vogt advanced to second on the throw.

Anything can happen when the ball is put in play, Kotsay said, and the A's certainly enjoyed those results as they split the two-game series against their AL West foes.

"That’s what you dream of, right? I mean, obviously everyone wants to play every day," said Vogt. "Everyone wants to start, everyone wants to be in that lineup every single day. It's just not possible. And so when your name is called off the bench, especially in a situation there with a chance to get a tying or go-ahead RBI, it’s what you dream of. You love coming off the bench and getting it done for the boys. That's what it's all about."

As the bottom of the ninth rolled around, the A’s found themselves faced with the same challenge as the night before: a tie ballgame with the hot-hitting Mark Mathias up to bat. Given Mathias’ success against Oakland throughout the two-game set -- he hit three home runs in three consecutive plate appearances between Tuesday and Wednesday, including a walk-off in the opener -- Kotsay brought in Domingo Acevedo to try and finish off the game.

Five pitches later, Acevedo struck out Mathias swinging to turn the tables on the Rangers and seal the win -- as well as his first career save. The shutout inning was just what Oakland needed after a rough series on the mound for starters Ken Waldichuk (their top pitching prospect per MLB Pipeline) and JP Sears.

Sears, who took the no-decision in the win after allowing five runs on seven hits (two of those being homers) in four innings, is now winless in his last four starts after beginning his A's career 2-0 with a 1.76 ERA in his first three games.

"JP -- coming off his last outing -- he’s grinding right now, and this league is making adjustments on him. They’ve got a good game plan on him," Kotsay said. "This is part of the growth that these younger players have to experience, they have to go through."

Because of how the A’s rallied back, Kotsay described the win as one of the more fun games he’s managed in his first year as A's skipper. But there’s one other thing he found joy in besides a 'W' in the win column, and that was seeing Vogt contribute on both sides of the ball.

"Seeing Stephen behind the plate tonight and watching him in that ninth inning -- he hasn’t been back there very much since [Shea Langeliers] came up -- the pure joy and just gratitude that he shows for being here, being able to be a part of this club in a very limited role, but a big role, it kind of just makes me feel good," Kotsay said. "For him to come through for us … I believe in Stephen Vogt. We do."