Sunday was a theme of firsts for the Athletics.
Oakland's 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park was the A’s first win of the season and Mark Kotsay’s first win as manager.
Starting pitcher Daulton Jefferies put together a masterful pitching performance in his 2022 season debut. The 26-year-old struck out two batters, giving up just two hits and no runs against a loaded Phillies lineup in five innings of work.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
The bullpen continued to hold off the Phillies’ high-powered offense and managed to notch the final 12 outs after Jefferies’ hot start.
“Obviously Dalton set the tone today,” Kotsay told reporters after the game. “He went out and really threw great. Through five, he did an excellent job and gave us a chance to get into the bullpen and those guys down there came in and did their job.”
After being held scoreless through five innings, the A’s bats came alive in the late innings, helping Oakland walk away with the win and avoid a series sweep.
Another first? Kotsay got his first game ball and beer bath as manager after the win.
And it was Tony Kemp’s two-run single in the ninth that sealed the win in Philly.
TK explained what the first win of the season meant to him.
RELATED: A's Irvin optimistic despite loss to former team Phillies
“It means a lot, especially for Kotsay’s first win as a manager to be a part of that is something special,” Kemp said. “We’re just figuring each other out right now. Game three, no need to hit the panic button. It’s a long season. But it feels good to grind out a win.”