by Jerry Feitelberg

AP photo: Oakland A’s starter  Jharel Cotton had all his pitches moving and held down the Los Angeles Angels seen pitching in first inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Wednesday

OAKLAND- The  Oakland A’s, behind a fantastic Major League debut by Jharel Cotton, defeated the Los Angeles Angels 4-1. Cotton came to Oakland in the trade that sent Josh Reddick and Rich Hill to the Dodgers at the trade deadline. Cotton had it all going for him Wednesday. He fooled the Angel hitters with a devasting changeup, had command of his fastball and mixed in sliders and curves in winning his first Major League game. Cotton allowed just one run and two hits in six and 1/3rd innings of work. Ryan Dull, Liam Hendriks, and Ryan Madson shut the Angels down the rest of the way. Madson earned his twenty-ninth save of the year.

The A’s scored two in the fourth, one in the fifth and one in the seventh. Yonder Alonso was the hitting star Wednesday as he had three hits and knocked in a run. Max Muncy, Brett Eibner also drove in a run, too. Ryan Healy hit a solo homer in the game to help Cotton win. C.J.Cron hit a solo homer in the seventh for the Angels’ lone tally.

Cotton was born in St.Thomas in the U.S.Virgin Islands. He is twenty-four years old and is the fourth pitcher in big league history from the Virgin Islands. “It could not get any better.” Cotton said after the game. “Of course, my dream is to get to the big leagues. I’m here now, my dream came true.” Bob Melvin said this about Cotton’s performance “it didn’t look like anything fazed him. He’s got the stuff.”

The A’s have an off-day on ThursdTheywill face the Seattle Mariners this weekend in Oakland. Daniel Mengden will pitch for Oakland and Daniel is hoping to notch his first win at the Oakland Coliseum. His record in Oakland is 0-5.