A's pinch hitter Nate Freiman wants to prove his worth

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A's first baseman Nate Freiman recently approached hitting coach Chili Davis, unprompted, with an observation and a question.

The observation: Freiman accurately predicted he wouldn't see much action for a while, given all the right-handed pitchers lined up to face Oakland. The question: What should he do to stay sharp?

Davis advised Freiman to keep his swing short and not worry about hitting for power. But the observation and question spoke as much about Freiman's ambition and work ethic as it did about specific strategic adjustments.

"That says a lot about him," Davis said. "He recognized what was going on - and he's not just happy to be here, he wants to help. ... If you allowed him, he'd be in that batting cage all day. There are times you have to drop the baseballs and say, 'That's it, Nate. No more.' "

Freiman, 26, had not spent a day in the major leagues when the A's claimed him on waivers from Houston on March 23. He became an early-season revelation of sorts - he was named American League Rookie of the Month for May after stepping into a first-base platoon with Brandon Moss and hitting .351 for the month.

Before long, as Freiman shrewdly noted - he didn't graduate from Duke by accident - his playing time dwindled. Moss began to rediscover his swing and the A's began to see more and more righties, essentially turning Freiman into manager Bob Melvin's pinch-hitter of choice.

Freiman has had his moments coming off the bench. Most memorably, he entered in the 16th inning June 13 against the Yankees. His walk-off single against future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera in the 18th gave the A's a 3-2 victory and completed their sweep of New York.

The next night, Freiman started against Seattle. He hasn't started any of Oakland's 14 games since then.

Nate Freiman celebrates after hitting the game-winning single in the 18th inning against the Yankees last month. Nate Freiman celebrates after hitting the game-winning single in the 18th inning against the Yankees last month. Photo: Eric Risberg, Associated Press Photo: Eric Risberg, Associated Press Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close A's pinch hitter Nate Freiman wants to prove his worth 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

It's a new role for Freiman, who naturally played every day in the minor leagues. But he was expecting reduced action in 2013, ever since the Astros selected him in the Rule 5 Draft (from San Diego) in December.

That meant Houston - and now the A's - would have to keep Freiman on the 25-man major-league roster all season or offer him back to the Padres. So Freiman, eager to remain in The Show any way he can, found ways to educate himself on life as a pinch-hitter.

"It's exciting to learn a new role and do something to help the team, coming into the late innings of games," he said. "I'm just coming to the park every day ready to play. ... I want to be at this level, and I want the team to do well."

Freiman's search for pinch-hitting guidance took him to Davis, and it also prompted him to chat with several former minor-league teammates and coaches. They almost universally agreed: Forget about patience in the late innings.

"You've got to be ready for the first pitch," he said. "You can't really get in there and work the count as a pinch-hitter. This club does a great job of working the count, but the game changes a little once you get to the bullpen, especially with guys on base. The first pitch may be the only pitch you get to hit."

Freiman is 2-for-11 as a pinch-hitter, including a double Wednesday against the Reds. He mostly figures to face left-handed relievers, but that's not always the way his at-bats work out.

That game against the Yankees provided a prime example. Freiman faced righty Adam Warren in the 16th (lineout to right), then another righty in Rivera two innings later. Freiman's game-winning single indoctrinated him into Oakland's sloppy and exuberant post-walk-off ritual

"As I've said before, if you're covered in pie and Gatorade, then something cool must have happened," he said.

That triumphant hit notwithstanding, Freiman's numbers explain why he seldom starts against right-handed pitchers. He's hitting .333 against lefties (25-for-75) and only .111 against righties (3-for-27).

Worth noting, then: The Cubs, after starting righties Scott Feldman and Matt Garza in the first two games of their series in Oakland, are scheduled to throw left-hander Travis Wood on Thursday.