OAKLAND — In a drab performance that will be forgotten as the games begin to tick away, the A’s on Wednesday at least got to see a pitching tandem they hope will be a part of their future foundation.
Frankie Montas entered in the fifth inning for his A’s debut, relieving starter Jharel Cotton, who wasn’t his sharpest but holds promise as part of Oakland’s young starting pitching core. Montas threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings to provide a highlight in Oakland’s 5-0 defeat to the Los Angeles Angels.
The outing had significance for Montas. He and Cotton came over from the Dodgers together last summer in the trade-deadline move that sent Rich Hill and Josh Reddick out of Oakland (the A’s also landed minor league righty Grant Holmes in the deal).