By Scott Barancik
Athletics utility man Zack Gelof stretched his MLB-leading hitting streak to 23 games on June 19 in a dramatic 12-11 walk-off win over the Angels, delivering an RBI single and reaching base three times. Over the 23-game stretch, the 26-year-old has batted .360 (32-for-89) with 5 home runs, 6 doubles, 13 RBIs, a .412 OBP and a 1.008 OPS. The streak is the fifth-longest in A’s history since the franchise moved to Oakland and, according to historian Bob Wechsler, ties Gelof for the fourth-longest in Jewish major-league history.
- 28 — Shawn Green (Blue Jays), 1999
- 28 — Gabe Kapler (Rangers), 2000
- 25 — Ian Kinsler (Rangers), 2008
- 23 — Zack Gelof (Athletics), 2026—active streak
- 23 — Kevin Youkilis (Red Sox), 2007
- 23 — Ryan Braun (Brewers), 2011
- 20 — Al Rosen (Indians), 1953
It is a remarkable turnaround for a player who missed Oakland’s Opening Day roster. After the A’s acquired veteran Jeff McNeil to play second base, Gelof’s ticket back to the big leagues depended on expanding his defensive versatility. The versatile Delaware native has done exactly that this season, logging 39 games at third base, 15 in center field, and 12 at second base through June 20.
Though he kept the hitting streak alive on Friday, Gelof sat out Saturday’s game as a precaution being hit in the helmet the night before.
Gelof will look to extend the streak to 24 games today against Angels southpaw Reid Detmers (4:05pm ET). In their only prior matchup, on May 19, Gelof went 1-for-3 with a two-run single.
For a deeper look at his adjustments at the plate, check out MLB Network’s recent breakdown of the streak, which aired shortly after Gelof extended it to 22 games.
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