ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The A’s had a new leadoff hitter Sunday at Tampa Bay. Jaycob Brugman, called up Friday, was atop the order against Rays ace Chris Archer.
“That didn’t take long, did it?” A’s manager Bob Melvin said with a smile. “That’s where he’s been hitting, and he had a really good day (Saturday). It’s about getting that first hit and then being off and doing what your ability allows you to do. He had some significant at-bats and he knows how to lead off.”
Brugman recorded his first big-league hit in the first game of Oakland’s doubleheader Saturday, and wound up with four hits, including a key squeeze-bunt single, plus a walk and a sacrifice fly on the day.