The Top 10 A's moments of 2018
A most magical A's season began dramatically -- Marcus Semien's walk-off hit sent them to a victory on Opening Day -- and only heightened in theatrics as the season moved along, an improbable run punctuated by their first postseason berth in four years.Along the way, a bevy of unforgettable moments
A most magical A's season began dramatically --
Along the way, a bevy of unforgettable moments were bookmarked. History was made, homers were had, and emotions ran high. The playoff-bound A's surely entertained, and they hope the fun has just begun.
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Here is a look at the A's Top 10 moments from the 2018 season:
Playoff-bound
The A's hoped to cap a memorable home campaign by clinching on their own turf Sunday, but their magic number remained at one after a loss to the Twins, forcing them to take the party on the road. They didn't have to wait long to celebrate, though, clinching a postseason spot by virtue of a Rays loss only moments after they began play in Seattle on Monday. Perhaps it wasn't the way they envisioned clinching, but there was cause for much celebration nonetheless.
Manaea makes history
Lefty
Piscotty salutes mom
Perhaps the most emotional moment of this regular season unfolded May 15 at Fenway Park, where outfielder
Pinder's slam powers A's
The A's had just suffered a three-game sweep at the hands of the Astros and were a measly 18-19 when they hit the road for a trying trip east that would include stops in New York, Boston and Toronto. They responded by going 7-3 -- a pivotal point in the season -- and capping the tour with a four-game sweep of the Blue Jays. Utility man extraordinaire
Piscotty, Lowrie team up in San Diego
The A's were one strike from a bleak loss in San Diego on June 19 when they woke from their slumber. Piscotty homered off closer Brad Hand to tie the Padres in the ninth inning, then
Bat Flippin' Season
It was a teeny, tiny toss of the bat, but it left an indelible mark on A's fans -- and others miffed by it.
11 unanswered runs
These A's have specialized in the comeback this year, staging one of the most sensational ones yet in Texas on July 24. Striking for 11 unanswered runs, the A's came away with a remarkable 13-10 victory. Piscotty launched a game-tying home run in the ninth to snap
The Throw
It was the throw of the year, an absolute marvel:
Olson ends it
The A's trailed Houston by a run in the ninth inning on Aug. 17 when Laureano was ruled safe at home for the tying run following a lengthy review. One inning later,
Make a wish, watch KD homer
Prior to the A's Aug. 20 game against the Rangers, Davis met with a handful of kids with the Make-A-Wish Foundation -- among them, 10-year-old Anthony Slocumb, who is in remission from a rare cancer called Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Slocumb told Davis that he was his favorite player and asked for an autograph. Davis not only happily obliged but asked for one back. The slugger had Slocumb sign the back of his game jersey, then homered in it with Slocumb in the stands. "I thought about him around the bases," Davis said.
Jane Lee has covered the A's for MLB.com since 2010.