It wasn’t smooth-sailing, but it was a win nonetheless.
Jharel Cotton proved that he can come up big under pressure: his final line was 6 innings, 3 hits (2 HRs), 3 runs (2 earned), 3 walks, and 9 strikeouts. While his walks were still an issue, his strikeouts were clearly not (his previous career high was 7). Both of his earned runs came on solo shots.
Although it ended up OK, the A’s left the bases loaded FOUR times. The first time, Khris Davis grounded out, the second time Yonder Alonso grounded out, and the third time Ryon Healy was called out on strikes (then ejected) and then Davis struck out.