MESA, Ariz. — Jharel Cotton took the mound to begin Tuesday’s game and promptly struck out the side in order.
It would establish a theme for the day, as first-round draft pick A.J. Puk also punched out the side in his first outing and Oakland pitchers rang up 14 strikeouts total in a 5-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians at Hohokam Stadium.
For Cotton, more important than putting up gaudy spring numbers is simply cementing his place in the A’s starting rotation. His first outing was a step in the right direction, though the Indians got to him for a run in his second and final inning when his command deserted him a bit.