OAKLAND — By this point in the season, it’s no surprise when Jed Lowrie sprays extra-base hits to all corners of the ballpark.
That he’s still doing it in an A’s uniform?
Few people could have predicted that.
The assumption leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline was that Lowrie would be shipped off to a contender in need of a versatile switch-hitter infielder. While pitchers Sonny Gray, Sean Doolittle, Ryan Madson and, eventually, first baseman Yonder Alonso all got dealt, Lowrie remains in green and gold.
That’s been to the benefit of A’s manager Bob Melvin.