It was seemingly so tangible that Chris Smith could probably feel it.
He was one out away Tuesday night from recording his first major-league win in nine years, and then, A’s closer Santiago Casilla ruined the feel-good storyline by blowing his fifth save of the season and handing Tampa Bay a 4-3 comeback victory at the Coliseum.
Nursing a 3-2 lead with two outs in the ninth, Casilla allowed Wilson Ramos to single through the left side. Mallex Smith pinch-ran for Ramos, moved to second on a wild pitch, stole third and scored the tying run on a single by Adeiny Hechavarria.