OAKLAND — Being a rookie himself, Chad Pinder understands what third baseman Matt Chapman is going through in his first couple days in the major leagues.
And playing just to Chapman’s left as the shortstop gives Pinder a unique perspective on Chapman’s demeanor and approach. So far, it’s no surprise that Pinder and everyone involved with the A’s is giving a thumbs-up.
Chapman showed some mental toughness in the bottom of the eighth Friday, falling behind 0-2 to Yankees reliever Jonathan Holder before lining a two-run single that lifted the A’s to a 7-6 victory and their second consecutive win over the American League East leaders.