Butler: A's offense can be 'dangerous'
OAKLAND -- While the A's have experienced their share of close losses this season, they've made a recent habit of following up a tough defeat with a win highlighted by offensive fireworks.
Fresh off a frustrating three-game sweep against the Royals, the A's bounced back with a 7-1 thumping of the Rockies at the Coliseum on Monday in the first of a three-game set.
At the core of that outburst were Josh Reddick, Ike Davis and Billy Butler, all of whom went yard off Rockies starter David Hale. For Butler in particular, Monday's game was a chance to showcase the power that has eluded him most of the season.
Butler finished 3-for-4, clubbing a solo homer in the fourth and adding an RBI double in the eighth. He entered the game batting .203 in June, and with just two homers in his last 56 games.
"You can't try to figure this game out," Butler said. "You've just got to stay with your approach and keep grinding it out, and things will work out."
Though it was just one game, Monday could be a stepping stone for a player who's struggled most of the season.
Much has been expected of Butler since joining the A's as a free agent this past offseason, but he hasn't delivered as consistently as he'd like.
Video: COL@OAK: Butler smokes RBI double to left field
"I know he's been grinding on it," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "He wants to be the guy that we brought in here to drive in runs, and you definitely saw that tonight."
Before Butler got his turn, Reddick and Davis both hit two-run shots in the first inning. The cushion gave A's starter Kendall Graveman some breathing room, which helped him toss seven shutout innings.
Reddick hadn't hit a home run since June 12. Davis, who was on the disabled list from mid-May to mid-June, hadn't hit one at home all season.
Video: COL@OAK: Melvin on Graveman and Butler's performances
The power explosion, particularly from the Nos. 4-5-6 spots in the batting order, was a much-needed jolt for a team in need of a win.
"The potential for us three, the sky's the limit," Butler said. "We've all hit in the past, we've all hit recently, we've all had success at this level. If we can all put it together at the same time, this is a very dangerous offense."
"It was a good day for the team offensively," Davis said, "and for a couple of the guys that haven't really done much in the last couple weeks to help out, that's good."