PHILADELPHIA — After opening the season with back-to-back losses to a revamped Phillies crew, the Oakland A’s secured their first win of the 12 months Sunday behind a standout pitching efficiency from a workers that entered the 12 months with vital query marks.
Beginning pitcher Daulton Jefferies turned in an environment friendly effort and the A’s offense got here to life within the late innings to key a 4-1 victory that helped Oakland keep away from a sweep within the three-game sequence at Residents Financial institution Park.
Jefferies tossed 5 scoreless innings of two-hit ball earlier than the Oakland bullpen took over and continued to carry off Philadelphia’s high-powered offense. The A’s have been held scoreless by 5 innings, however first baseman Seth Brown delivered a go-ahead RBI single within the sixth earlier than left fielder Billy McKinney launched a solo homer within the seventh.
Second baseman Tony Kemp, who completed the day with three hits, supplied an extra carry within the ninth with a two-run single to offer Oakland a 4-0 lead.
The 26-year-old Jefferies was environment friendly in his first outing, throwing solely 48 pitches on the day. The A’s protection made play after play behind him, starting within the first inning with two tough catches from catcher Austin Allen and Kemp at second.
The best-hander surrendered simply two singles and struck out two whereas A’s fielders stored the Phillies from reaching base. Jefferies pitched into the sixth inning, however was eliminated in favor of left-hander Sam Moll after strolling the leadoff batter.
After Phillies starter Zach Eflin shut Oakland out for 4 innings, the A’s took their first lead of the season within the sixth inning as Brown hit an RBI single off lengthy reliever Bailey Falter to knock in Elvis Andrus. McKinney added a solo house run in opposition to the left-hander to guide off the seventh.
The A’s threatened Eflin within the third inning by loading the bases, however the right-hander escaped bother with the assistance of live-drive double play off the bat of Andrus. Oakland lastly broke by in opposition to Falter, scoring simply sufficient to carry the crew to victory.
With Moll finishing the sixth for Oakland, Domingo Acevedo and Kirby Snead got here out of the bullpen to deal with the seventh and eighth innings. Proper-hander Lou Trivino completed off the sport for Oakland, however not earlier than surrendering a leadoff solo homer to Jean Segura within the backside of the ninth.
The A’s improved to 1-2 on the season, getting the primary win out of the best way earlier than touring to Tampa Bay for a four-game sequence at Tropicana Subject beginning Monday at 3:40 p.m.