Elephant Rumblings: Sean Newcomb sharp in first start for Oakland

The Oakland Athletics suffered a 3-2 setback to the Texas Rangers Saturday night despite a strong showing from lefty Sean Newcomb, who made his first start of the season. Newcomb allowed just one hit and two walks to go along with five strikeouts over four scoreless innings. Newcomb had been solid in five appearances as a reliever, but Saturday was just his third start since the 2020 season.

Newcomb has always fancied himself as a starter. He was once the top pitching prospect for the Braves after coming over from the Angels in a trade for Andrelton Simmons. He made 49 starts for Atlanta between 2017 and 2018 and came within one out of a no-hitter against the Dodgers. His finest season though came as a reliever in 2019 as a switch to the bullpen seemed to limit the control issues that hampered him throughout his professional career. He expressed a desire to return to the rotation in 2020 and the Braves obliged, but lasted just four starts.

There has never been any question about Newcomb’s stuff. The question has always been whether his command is good enough for the rotation.

A’s Coverage

• Athletics drop second game to Rangers, lose 3-2
• Waiver Wire Pickup Could Be A Sweet Deal
• Athletics claim Buddy Kennedy

MLB News

• Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws no-hitter with Yanks Brian Cashman, other execs on hand
• Rays owner discusses stadium deal progress, sale inquiries
• Top prospect Paul Skenes reflects on first months as pro
• How Jose Altuve turned the clock back to MVP form
• Manny Machado could undergo offseason elbow surgery
• Yankees’ Luis Severino done for year with left oblique strain
• Luis Rengifo suffers bicep tendon rupture, won’t return in 2023
• Noelvi Marte day to day with facial contusion after pregame mishap
• Braves retire Andruw Jones’ No. 25, tout his Hall of Fame case
• Nationals place MacKenzie Gore on 15-Day IL
• George Kirby ready to turn the page after tough start
• Austin Meadows will not return this season

Best of Twitter

Zack Gelof’s game tying homer

A’s postgame live on Saturday’s loss

Mark Kotsay on Sean Newcomb