Vogt makes big splash as A's sink D-backs
PHOENIX -- Stephen Vogt drove home all three runs as the A's snapped a three-game losing streak by edging the D-backs, 3-2, on Saturday night at Chase Field.
The A's grabbed an early lead in the second when Vogt hit a two-run homer off D-backs starter Jhoulys Chacin. Vogt's homer splashed down into the pool located beyond the wall in right-center.
The D-backs tied the game in the fifth when Nick Ahmed led off the inning with a double and scored on A.J. Pollock's single. Arizona added a run later in the inning when Ender Inciarte scored on Paul Goldschmidt's double play.
Video: OAK@ARI: Pollock drives in Ahmed with single in 5th
Vogt drove home what proved to be the game-winner in the eighth when he blooped a two-out single to left.
"There's nothing better than coming through for your teammates late in the game, especially for me personally, since I felt it had been awhile since I've gotten a big hit for us," Vogt said. "It's been awhile since I've gotten a hit like that."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Redemption: After watching the D-backs intentionally walk Danny Valencia with two outs in the eighth inning, Vogt stepped to the plate with runners on first and second of a tied game and delivered an opposite-field blooper on a 3-2 count to send in the go-ahead run. It was the third hit of the night for Vogt, who reached base in each of his four plate appearances after enduring a rough defensive performance that included a pair of passed balls that led to two unearned runs in Friday's series-opening loss. More >
Video: OAK@ARI: Vogt homers, drives in go-ahead run in win
"He was swinging the bat well tonight," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "Looking at [the intentional walk] from the other end, the numbers, you gotta do it. Then it was whether we would pinch-hit right there because we've done that plenty, but Vogt -- great at-bats today, every at-bat in the game was good and certainly no more than the last one."
Chacin sent down postgame: Despite an impressive start, the D-backs optioned Chacin to Triple-A Reno following the game to make room for Sunday's starter, Allen Webster. Chacin, who has allowed four earned runs over 13 1/3 innings in two starts for Arizona, will return after the end of the Minor League season and get another look in the rotation.
Video: OAK@ARI: Chacin fans six A's over seven innings
Brooks impresses: Recalled from Triple-A Nashville just Friday night for his second stint with the A's this season, right-hander Aaron Brooks gave the club six strong innings, allowing two runs on eight hits with four strikeouts and one walk.
"That top of the order is hard to get through over there," Vogt said. "It doesn't matter if they're hot, they're not, that's a tough part of the lineup.
"Brooks was able to come out after giving up two runs and getting the best hitter in the world to ground into a double play, that was the play of the game for sure."
Video: OAK@ARI: Brooks allows only two runs over six frames
WHAT'S NEXT
A's: Right-hander Jesse Chavez, whose second-half inconsistencies have resulted in a 3-7 record and 5.52 ERA over his last 11 starts, gets the ball in Sunday's 1:10 p.m. PT finale with the D-backs at Chase Field. Chavez has a 9.00 ERA in four career appearances against Arizona, all in relief, but has not faced the D-backs since 2010.
D-backs: Robbie Ray had initially been slated to start Sunday afternoon's series finale for the D-backs, but the team has elected to push each of their starters back a day to give them extra work. The D-backs will call up right-hander Allen Watson from Triple-A Tucson to make the start.
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