Rays series gives A’s blueprint for ’16 success

ST. PETERSBURG — As the Oakland Athletics struggled their way through 10 excruciating May losses, the painful setbacks weren’t something Moneyball could fix.

Granted, as has often been written, the A’s live under the shadow of Michael Lewis’s 13-year-old book and the popular 2011 Oscar-nominated movie. Where’s Brad Pitt when we need him?

Or does Billy Beane (portrayed by Pitt in the movie) need to wave his magic executive’s wand and do something to give the A’s a new beginning to what has become a disappointing start?

None of the above seems likely at the moment.

Maybe what these A’s need most is the type of stirring victory they pulled off Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Danny Valencia, who had homered twice before in the series, blasted a two-run shot with the Athletics down to their last out, propelling the 7-6 triumph and sending them back to Oakland on a much-needed positive note. The A’s next 10 games (seven at home) undoubtedly will answer many questions about this team and how the 2016 season will unfold.

When the A’s arrived at Tropicana Field on Friday, they’d lost nine of 10 games, including five in a row. But in the opener against the Rays, Valencia homered twice and they held on for a 6-3 win before being shut out, 6-0, Saturday night.

Sunday, with Sonny Gray, the A’s young ace who finished third in the American League Cy Young Award voting last year, scuffling (he allowed three homers), they were headed to a 5-4 loss before Valencia, cheered on by his elated parents in the stands, turned the tide.

“Any time you have a tough road trip and it can end with a game like this should be a good incentive,” said manager Bob Melvin. “Valencia had quite a day, really quite a series. He comes off the DL and makes an impact in both games we won.”

Melvin added: “Winning with one out left is what we have to be all about. In past …

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