OAKLAND – Sam Fuld quickly has made his presence felt with the A’s.
Starting in center field for the second straight day after being re-acquired from Minnesota, Fuld made a dazzling catch-and-throw home Saturday to complete an inning-ending double play in the fourth inning of an 8-3 victory over Kansas City. That prevented the Royals from extending what was then a 1-0 lead.
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“I’ve seen that throw before,” outfielder Jonny Gomes said. “He’s just a little guy, but he’s got some big tools.”
With Coco Crisp and Craig Gentry sidelined by injuries, Fuld is handling leadoff duties too. He was on base twice Friday though the A’s couldn’t drive him in from scoring position. On Saturday, he did it with the glove.
With runners on the corners and one out in the fourth, Fuld charged in to catch Mike Moustakas’ liner. Alex Gordon tagged up from third, but Fuld had perfect momentum going forward to unleash a throw home. His throw brought catcher Derek Norris up the line but was in time for Norris to apply the tag.
So exaggerated was Fuld’s follow-through that he did a somersault as he completed his throw.
“I do that all the time,” Fuld said. “I guess it’s second nature. Sometimes when I do the somersault I don’t even see the play. I just hear the crowd.”
