OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Chase Silseth allowed one hit in six solid innings and became the first player in last year’s draft to make his major league debut, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 2-0 win over the Oakland Athletics on Friday. evening.
An 11th-round pick by the Angels last July, Silseth was still pitching in college for Arizona a year ago. He made eight appearances in the minors before being called up from Double-A Rock City before the game to pitch for the major league club, five days shy of his 22nd birthday.
“Still speechless, still processing everything,” Silseth said. “You totally dream about that phone call or the manager telling you you’re going to the big leagues to start a game. When they initially told me, I was excited.
“My uncle died last fall and the last thing he said to me was, ‘You’re going to make it.’ That was for him tonight.
Silseth (1-0) dazzled the A’s with a 98 mph fastball and a consistent sinker and slider that helped produce eight ground balls. The right-hander finished with four strikeouts and two walks during his 81-pitch outing, allowing just one runner to reach second base.
“Great impression, but that’s what he’s been doing,” Angels manager Joe Maddon said. “I’ve heard about this guy since spring training. That is no accident. That boy is good. He seems like he is the kind of person who is given the chance.”
Aaron Loup and Ryan Tepera each retired three batters. Raisel Iglesias pitched the ninth for his eighth save to complete the two-hit series.
Anthony Rendon had two hits for the Angels. Andrew Velazquez added his second career home run.
Elvis Andrus had the A’s only hit off Silseth with a leadoff single in the third, but was erased on a double play trying to advance to third on a fly ball to left field. Andrus also singled in the eighth.
“The guy did a great job attacking us,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “Life on his fastball, split was really good. His pace was incredible. He had a plan and was on the mound ready to go. You have to tip your cap when you have a performance like that.”
Oakland has lost seven straight at the Coliseum.
Rendon doubled off Daulton Jefferies in the fourth and scored when Brandon Marsh singled two out up the middle past Andrus and into center field.
Velazquez homered in the fifth.
Jefferies (1-6) allowed five hits and two runs in six innings. He is the first A’s pitcher to lose six in a row since Vin Mazzaro in 2009.
DEFENSIVE JEWEL
A’s right fielder Ramon Laureano made an excellent knee catch to deny Chad Wallach a hit leading off the third. Laureano, who returned from the suspended list Monday, made the catch against center fielder Cristian Pache, who has already made a handful of spectacular catches this season.
COACHES ROOM
Athletics: LHP Cole Irvin (shoulder tendinitis) threw a bullpen before the game and is scheduled to pitch for Single-A Stockton on Tuesday.
Q NEXT
LHP Jhonathan Diaz (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will pitch the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader for the Angels, while LHP Paul Blackburn (4-0, 1.74) goes for the A’s. In Game 2, Oakland plans to call up RHP Adam Oller (0-2, 11.17) from Triple-A Las Vegas. Los Angeles will go with LD Michael Lorenzen (3-2, 4.13).
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