By Morris Phillips

OAKLAND — If the next 60 games are like the last 30, the A’s are marching into the postseason, dragging naysayers and whatever left by the side of the road supporters along with them. Not only have the A’s won 23 of 30, they’ve developed an unmistakable swagger and belief.

Late game deficit? Just hold on. Late game deficit along with a slumbering offense? No problem. World class opponent like the Astros–or Indians, Giants and faltering Padres for that matter? The A’s elevate their game accordingly.

The Giants got their rough introduction to the transformation over the weekend in a pair of bitter, extra-inning defeats capped by Sunday’s 6-5 nail biter that swung on the unpredictable path of a high chopper on the infield. When the otherwise out of this world shortstop Brandon Crawford failed to come up with the ball, Marcus Semien (aboard on a leadoff walk issued by reliever Ty Blach) just happened to be in the right place, flying around third base and bearing down on home plate.

“The more we do this–since we’ve been on this run–the more confidence we gain,” said manager Bob Melvin. “And I think it’s important too that we lost the first game of the series both ends of this. And end up coming back and winning both. It kept the momentum as far as that preserverance trait goes.  And they expect to win.”

Expect to win? More like they forgot how to lose.

The A’s have won 10 times in this streak by scoring the winning run in the eighth inning or later. They’re 39-0 when leading after seven innings, and 47-0 when leading after eight. Neither of those last two numbers got a bump Sunday because the Giants staged a spirited rally with three runs in the seventh to tie, and another run in the eighth to take a short-lived lead.

But the first number on the list did get a bump, and it did so with the slimmest of advantages in the form of Matt Chapman’s game-winning, infield single.

Sunday, the A’s melded together eight hits in 10 innings and somehow, that added up to six runs. Hits with runners in scoring position? Just one in eight opportunities. On Saturday, it was six base hits and a double in 11 innings, along with nine walks issued by Giants’ pitchers, and the support of 56,310 partially supportive fans to etch together a win.

The A’s should open a new-age sewing factory: provide the materials, and the A’s will stitch together a win.

“It just shows the character of our team,” said Chapman. “We’re able to keep fighting until the last pitch, no matter whether we’re down or not. We always feel like we’re one swing away.”

GAME NOTES: Reliever Jeurys Familia, acquired from the Mets in a deal for two minor league prospects and cash considerations, made his A’s debut Sunday, throwing two scoreless innings which matched the longest outing of the pitcher’s season to date. Melvin gushed after the game at the A’s bullpen depth that allowed the manager to extend closer Blake Treinen on Saturday, while knowing a well-rested Familia would be available for an extended run on Sunday.

Familia was 4-4 with a 2.88 ERA and 17 saves in 40 appearances with New York. The 28 year-old, right-hander piled up 43 strikeouts while walking 14.

A’s starter Sean Manaea retired the first 14 batters he faced on Sunday, and limited his adversity to one run allowed in the fifth. Manaea struck out five batters, the first time he’s struck out more than four batters in a start since June 22 when he struck out seven in a start at the White Sox.

UP NEXT: The A’s will open a four-game series against the Texas Rangers on Monday at 5:05 pm PDT.