Laureano credits choking up, prayer for success at plate

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Have a night, Ramón Laureano. 

It was a much-needed outing for the A’s center fielder, who was 0-for-14 heading into Wednesday night’s 6-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He credited choking up on his bat for his success on a night in which he drove in three runs and had the game-winning homer.

“Hitting’s a reaction so I just tried to react and I just choked up like a foot up the bat and yeah, good things happen -- so that’s good,” Laureano said after the game.

It was as simple as that.

“Nowadays, I’m just trying to choke up and pray to God the barrel hits the ball and that’s it,” Laureano said. 

Laureano explained he has been practicing choking up on his bat each day. And when going up against a guy like former A’s closer Blake Treinen, who has plenty of movement on his pitches, a quick attack can prove to be beneficial. 

“Hopefully it carries on, we’ll see,” Laureano added.

Laureano also had a stellar night in the outfield as he typically does, no matter how he performs at the plate.

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Though Laureano had been in a slump, he hadn't realized it. Those numbers are something he doesn’t pay attention to.

“I come every day with a mindset that it’s a new day, I’m in the present moment, I’m in the present at-bat," he said. “My past at-bat doesn’t dictate when I’m going in the box at the present moment.”

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