OAKLAND, Calif. — With a little more playing time these past few days, Athletics slugger Billy Butler is finally getting comfortable at the plate — even in a rare appearance against a right-hander.
It might not be enough to get him out of a part-time role in Oakland. Still, it's a step in the right direction for the former All-Star first baseman.
Butler hit a tiebreaking home run off Erasmo Ramirez with one out in the eighth inning and the A's held on to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 on Sunday.
"I've shown it my career, I can come through in those situations day in and day out," Butler said after helping the A's complete a 7-3 homestand.