AP photo: Oakland A’s pitcher Jharel Cotton throwing in the second inning had all his pitches going against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night at Kaufman Stadium
Kansas City, Mo- The Oakland A’s scored four times in the top of the eighth to beat the Royals 5-4 Tuesday night. Jharel Cotton, making his second big league start, pitched well again. He pitched five and two-thirds innings and allowed seven hits and three runs. Two of the runs were unearned. He had command of his fastball, curve, and changeup. The Royals’ starter, lefty Danny Duffy, also pitched very well. Duffy went seven and one-third innings, and he was charged with three runs on just three hits. Unfortunately for Duffy, two of the hits were solo homers by Davis and Healy.
The Royals scored twice in the fourth, but the A’s cut the deficit to one in the fifth when Khris Davis hit a solo home run. For Davis, it was his thirty-seventh of the year and his ninetieth RBI of the year. The Royal scored their third run of the game in the sixth and sent Cotton to the showers.
Duffy was in control until the fateful eighth inning. Ryon Healy hit his ninth dinger of the year to make it a 3-2 game. Duffy walked the next hitter, and he was done for the night. Brett Eibner singled off reliever Matt Strahm to put men on at first and second with one out. Royal manager Ned Yost brought in Joakim Soria to pitch. Bob Melvin sent in Yonder Alonso to pinch-hit. Alonso came through with a booming double to center field to drive in Joey Wendle and Brett Eibner. Marcus Semien singled to left, and Alonso scored when Alex Gordon, a four-time Golden Glove winner, bobbled the ball. The A’s lead 5-3 after eight.
The Royals scored a run in the bottom of the ninth when A’s closer committed a balk with a runner on third. Madson faked a throw to third and wheeled to first and picked off the runner. However, baseball ruled that move was illegal and is now a balk. Madson gathered himself and retired Eric Hosmer on an unassisted play at first by Alonso. Final score 5-4 for Oakland.
Game three of the four-game series will be played Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City at 4:10 PM PT.
Lefty Sean Manaea will pitch for Oakland, and Yordano Ventura will start for KC.
Time of game was 2 hours and fifty-six minutes. 29,673 people watched the A’s beat their beloved Royals for the second night in a row.
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.
Oakland Athletics left fielder Khris Davis Photo Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
by Charlie O. Mallonee
Just when it looked like a no-hitter was going to be pitched against the Oakland Athletics by Eduardo Rodriguez on Sunday, a 19-second video review overturned a call at first that would have been the third out in the bottom of the eighth inning and the bid for a no-hitter was over. Frankly, what happened next was unexpected.
The Red Sox brought in closer Craig Kimbrel to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning of the scoreless game. Danny Valencia led off the inning with a base on balls. With the potential winning run at first, the power-hitting Khris Davis came to the plate and hit a double to left field. Boston left fielder Brock Holt had trouble fielding the ball and Valencia was able to come home for the winning run. Davis was credited with a double and Holt was charged with an error so the run was unearned.
The Athletics defeated the Red Sox 1-0 in the final game of the three-game series. For the A’s, they score one run on just two hits while leaving six men on base. Oakland committed one error. Boston scored no runs off six hits and left nine men on base. The Red Sox committed two errors in the game.
On the Bump
It was a day that was all about pitching. The A’s had given up 27 runs in the first two games versus the Red Sox. Oakland needed a shutdown performance to give them a chance to salvage a win in the final game of the series.
A’s starter Kendall Graveman (10-9, 3.81) gave his team that chance on Sunday. He worked 6.1 scoreless innings for his team. Graveman struck out seven and walked just two. He threw 112 pitches (71 strikes).
A’s manager Bob Melvin said after the game that the key to the win was Graveman’s ability to work his way out of a bases loaded situation in the top of the fourth inning.
For all of his hard efforts, Graveman earns a no decision for the day.
Ryan Dull came on to relieve Graveman in the seventh inning with runners at first and second. Dull closed out the seventh and faced just four batters in the eighth inning to keep the shutout intact.
Closer Ryan Madson was brought in for the top of the ninth inning. He put the side down in order to keep Boston without a run on the board. Madson was the pitcher of record when Valencia scored the winning run so he picks up the win. Madson is now 5-4 on the season.
Graveman, Dull and Madson combined to shutout a very powerful Boston Red Sox team.
For most of the game, it appeared that Eduardo Rodriguez (2-5, 4.83) would be the story of the contest by pitching a no-hitter. The Red Sox left-hander was in command on the mound right from the beginning of the game. He struck out five and walked just two batters. Rodriguez had three 1-2-3 innings.
Rodriguez was cruising to another three-up, three-down inning when the unthinkable happened. With two out and Marcus Semien at the plate, the A’s shortstop hit a ball right back to the mound at the feet of the pitcher. Rodriguez could not find the ball. When Rodriguez finally found the ball, he fired it to first and Semien was called out. Almost immediately, the A’s were calling for a review and the umpires initiated a review because it was after the seventh inning.
It only took 19-seconds for video control in New York to overturn the call and Semien was called safe. That was all for the no hit bid. Rodriguez got Jake Smolinski to ground out to end the eighth inning.
Rodriguez pitched 8.0-innings giving up no runs on one hit. He struck out five and walked two. He threw 110 pitches (72 strikes). Rodriguez is now 0-2 with a 2.83 ERA in his last five starts.
Craig Kimbrel takes the loss for the Sox. He gave up one run on one hit. He walked one hitter. Kimbrel’s record falls to 2-4 for the year.
In the Batter’s Box
The Khris Davis double was the highlight for the Athletics on Sunday. Davis went 1-for-4 in the game including two strike outs but kept his concentration and aggressiveness when his team needed it the most. For Davis, it was his 20th double of the year and his 85th RBI.
It was Big Papi’s last appearance at the Coliseum on Sunday and things did not go the way he would have liked them go. Ortiz went 0-for-2 on the day with two walks.
Rookie Yoan Moncada went 2-for-4 for his second consecutive multi-hit game.
In the Field
The Red Sox $60-million man – Rookie Yoan Moncada – committed his first big league error on Sunday. In the bottom of the second inning, Moncada attempted to field a ground ball hit to third by Ryon Healy. Moncada did not get in front of the ball and wound up waving at the ball with his glove as it bounced by him into left field. Even top prospects are humbled by the baseball.
Danny Valencia was charged with an error in the fourth inning when his throw to Marcus Semien drew the shortstop off the bag and allowed the runner to be called safe in what should have been a force out. The runner was originally called out and the Red Sox had to challenge the call. It took 1-minute 19-seconds for the original call to be overturned and for the error to be charged to Valencia.
Up Next – Here come the rookies
The A’s will host the LA Angels for a three-game series that will get underway on Monday afternoon at 1:05 PM. That game will feature the debut of RHP Raul Alcantara for the Athletics. Alcantara began the season at Double-A Midland and was then promoted to Triple-A Nashville. Alcantara made eight starts at Nashville and posted a 4-0 record with a 1.18 ERA.
LHP Ross Detwiler (1-3, 4.66) will start for Oakland on Tuesday night. The Angels have not named a starter.
The Wednesday afternoon game will feature another Major League debut as RHP Jharel Cotton will take the mound for the A’s. Cotton came to the A’s from the Dodgers as a part of the Josh Reddick/Rich Hill trade. Cotton made six starts for the Sounds and recorded a 3-1 record with a 2.82 ERA. One of those wins was a one-hitter that came very close to being a no-hitter. That performance won Cotton the PCL Player of the Week.
Alcantara and Cotton will be the 11th and 12th rookie pitchers to appear for the A’s this season. They will be the 26th and 27th pitchers used by Oakland in 2016.
Right-hand pitcher Jharel Cotton was traded to the Oakland Athletics as a part of the trade deadline deal that sent outfielder Josh Reddick and pitcher Rich Hill to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cotton – who is on the 40-man roster- was assigned to to the A’s Triple-A affiliate in Nashville.
Cotton made his first start for Nashville on Thursday night in Colorado Springs where the ball flies just like it does at Coors Field due to the altitude. It is certainly not a pitcher friendly park.
Cotton – who has an above average four-seam fastball and change up – took the mound and worked six strong innings. He gave up just one run (earned) on six hits. Cotton struck out five Sky Sox batters and walked just one. He did allow one home run.
Cotton faced 24 batters in his six innings of work. He induced the opposing hitters into four groundouts and seven flyouts. Cotton threw 95 pitches (60 strikes).
When Cotton exited the game at the end of six innings, the Sounds led the Sky Sox 4-1. The Sounds would hang on to win the game 5-4. Cotton was credited with the win and his record improves to 9-5 on the season with a 4.70 ERA.
In the reordering of the A’s top prospects after the trades, Cotton is considered to be the 16th best prospect out of Oakland’s top 30 farm hands. With the A’s struggling to find pitchers to fill the back end of the starting rotation, Cotton could be a candidate to join the big club for a tryout start. If he continues to have success, Cotton certainly would a September call up candidate when the rosters can be expanded.
Third baseman Renato Nunez – rated the A’s sixth best prospect – played a big part in the Sounds victory last night in Colorado Springs. Nunez hit a two-run double (17) in the top of the second inning to give Nashville a 2-0 lead.
Nunez struck again in the top of the fourth inning when he hit a two-run home run off starting pitcher Hiram Burgos. It was the 18th home run of the season for Nunez. The four RBI in the game increased his total to 61 for the season.
Nunez certainly has the power numbers (17 doubles, 2 triples, 18 home runs) but the A’s would certainly like to see him raise his batting average the current .229. He has minor league career batting average of .267.
There was one other player of interest to Northern California fans playing in the game last night. Former Giant/Sacramento River Cat and Roseville resident, catcher Andrew Susac – who was traded to the Milwaukee organization – played for the Sky Sox and went 1-for-5.
Right-handed pitcher Grant Holmes – who was acquired as a part of the Reddick/Hill trade – will make his first start for the A’s high Class-A team – Stockton Ports – in San Jose tonight. Sports Radio Service will report on that game in our Saturday edition.
The A’s indicated on Sunday they might go for a contract extension with pitcher Rich Hill rather than trade him. Either that was a smoke screen or the extension talks did not go well because Hill is now a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Hill is currently on the disabled listed due to a blister on his middle finger of his pitching hand. Hill was placed on the DL retroactive to July 20 on July 30. He can be reinstated on August 4. Hill was 9-3 with a 2.25 ERA in 14 starts for the Athletics.
Reddick had also been the focus of contract extension talks as he will become a free agent at the end of the season. Those contract talks were not fruitful or did not look promising as Reddick is also a Dodger as of today.
Reddick was hitting .296 with eight home runs and 28 RBI in 68 games for the A’s this season. Reddick spent May 20 to June 27 on the disabled list with a fractured thumb. He had been seen as a trade target by several teams as the trade deadline approached. The Dodgers remained at the top of the list of suitors for Reddick’s services.
As has been the Athletics style, they will receive prospects in return for Hill and Reddick. In this case, all three prospects are pitchers.
Jharel Cotton is a 24-year old right-hand pitcher who has been playing at the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City this season. He had appeared in 22 games (16 starts) with a record of 8-5. His 4.90 ERA is high but earned run averages tend to run high in the Pacific Coast League.
Cotton has an above average fastball.The speed of that fastball changes depending on whether he is starting or relieving. As a starter, he throws the fastball in the upper 80’s. As a reliever, he ups the speed of his number one pitch into the 90’s.
Cotton has a plus-change up that he uses frequently as an out pitch. He also throws a cutter and a curve but both are considered below average. He really needs to develop a third pitch.
At 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, Cotton’s size is more suited to being a relief pitcher rather than a starting pitcher in the major leagues. Cotton has been assigned to the A’s Triple-A team in Nashville.
Frankie Montas is a hard throwing right-hander who has seen some time in the big leagues with the Chicago White Sox. He appeared in seven games (two starts) for the Sox in 2015. Montas was traded to the Dodgers in a three-team trade that sent Trayce Thompson to Los Angeles.
Montas had rib surgery in February and has been limited to 16.0 innings of work in 2016. There have been conflicting reports about when Montas will be able to pitch again. Some reports have him pitching again in September and others have him not returning to action until the Arizona Fall League gets underway.
Montas is 6-foot-2 and 255 pounds. His size may be a part of his power as a pitcher but it is also a concern about how it may impact his health in the long run.
Montas has an excellent fastball with some sink that he throws consistently in the 90’s and will ramp up to 102 mph on occasion. His number two pitch is a slider that he throws in the mid-80’s. Scouts say Montas needs to develop a third pitch.
Montas gets into trouble when he overthrows his pitches. His fastball straightens out and his slider flattens out which makes both pitches less effective.
The big question that has followed Montas is whether he is a starter or reliever. The early takes are that the A’s will work to make Montas a starter.
The final piece of this trade is a youngster. Grant Holmes is just 20-years old and is already in his third year of professional baseball. The Dodgers drafted him in the first round of the 2014 draft with number 22 overall pick.
Holmes is a 6-foot-1, 215 pound, right-hand throwing pitcher. He has a fastball that runs up near 100 mph on a regular basis. Holmes also has a hard, sharp breaking curve ball. He also is working on what is considered a very promising change up.
Holmes is 8-4 with a 4.02 ERA for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga this season. He has appeared in 20 games (18 starts). Despite those impressive numbers as a starter, many experts see Holmes as a reliever by the time he reaches the big leagues.
The A’s have not announced what team Holmes will be assigned to in the organization.
by Charlie O. Mallonee
Sports Radio Service 