OAKLAND -- The A’s believe they are primed for another strong second-half run. It’s going to be tough to top the 42-23 post-All-Star break stretch from a year ago, but
Friday’s strong outing made it 14 consecutive starts in which Fiers has allowed three earned runs or fewer, seemingly getting stronger as the season goes along as he’s allowed one earned run or fewer in each of his past five. The theory that Oakland does not have a true top-of-the-line starting pitcher also continues to dissipate with each of Fiers’ starts. Since April 26, his 2.31 ERA is third-lowest among American League starters, only trailing All-Stars Mike Minor and Charlie Morton.\n\nPerhaps Fiers gets overlooked for his lack of flashy stuff. He doesn’t possess a blazing fastball, instead topping out around 92 mph. But he more than makes up for the lower velocity with a supreme ability to locate his pitches. Fiers rarely gives hitters the same look. Whether it’s going up in the zone with his curveball, or utilizing his cutter lower in the zone to produce ground balls, he keeps hitters guessing more times than not.\n\n“He doesn’t have an overpowering fastball, velocity-wise. But it spins pretty well and up in the zone, it’s tough for anybody to catch up to,” Melvin said. “He throws his curveball out of the same spot, so he can pitch up and down very effectively. It’s a different repertoire.\n\n“It’s one thing to throw 98 mph, which is tough to sustain and pitch deep in games with. He might not strike out 10 guys to overpower you, but in his own way, he does. Next thing you know, he’s in the seventh or eighth inning with a lead.”\n\nFiers also gets it done with superior command. Of his 111 pitches on Friday night, 77 were strikes. His one walk issued in the seventh was more frustrating for him than the eight hits he allowed.\n\n“That’s the biggest thing. Not giving free passes,” Fiers said. “The first thing is command. You can throw as hard as you want, but if you throw it down the middle every time, you’re going to get hurt. For me, it’s hitting the corners, going up, down, out, in and keeping them off balance.”
Melvin gave Fiers the chance to complete eight, but pulled him at 111 pitches after a walk to James McCann put runners on first and second with two outs in the eighth. As Fiers walked off the mound he gave a wave and quick tip of the cap to the crowd, which rose to give him a roar of approval.\n\n“Every time out, I have the most confidence right now,” Fiers said. “Just going out there attacking guys, trusting in my stuff and my defense.”\n\nWith the Indians losing earlier in the day, Oakland is now just a 1/2 game out of the second AL Wild Card spot. Houston’s loss to the Rangers also puts the A’s six games back of first place in the AL West, their closest margin since May 8.
**Power surge**\n\n