Jack Perkins gets another chance to hold a rotation spot for the Athletics on Tuesday, when he makes his third start since moving into the starting mix and his first career start against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 26-year-old right-hander is on the mound in Game #73 as the Athletics try to follow an 11-2 win and keep their grip on a series they already lead.
That previous night, Nick Kurtz hit two home runs and J.T. Ginn turned in a dominant outing, giving the Athletics the kind of complete game they have been chasing. A win here would move them above.500 and seal a third straight series victory over a National League opponent, which is why this start matters beyond one night at Sutter Health Park.
The timing also puts pressure on Perkins, who has been shuffled between the rotation and bullpen through his first 31 MLB games. He has appeared in 19 games and is 2-3 with a 6.25 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP and 43 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched. He worked four innings in each of his first two starts, and in his last outing against the Milwaukee Brewers he gave up three runs on five hits and three walks before taking a no-decision. For him to stay in the rotation, the path is simple: work deeper, give the club five innings or more, and make the case that he can do the job every fifth day.
Mark Kotsay kept the same starting nine from the previous game, with Jacob Wilson again in the cleanup spot and Zack Gelof still chasing an MLB-best hitting streak that could reach 20 games with one more hit. Jeff McNeil came in after a three-hit, four-RBI game, while Lawrence Butler was still batting under.200. The lineup gives Perkins some support, but the Athletics still need the version of the right-hander that gets them through innings instead of into the bullpen early.
Mitch Keller is on the other side with his own problems. The Pittsburgh starter makes his 15th appearance with a 5-4 record, a 5.14 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP and 58 strikeouts over 77 innings, and he has allowed 31 runs in his last 36 innings. He also took the loss in his last start against the Los Angeles Dodgers after giving up five runs on seven hits in four innings, and he has been rough against the Athletics, going 0-3 with a 7.04 ERA and 12 strikeouts in three previous career appearances. The Pirates made only one lineup change from the day before, placing Jared Triolo at shortstop, as they tried to steady a club that was held to two runs in the 11-2 loss.
So the question is not whether Perkins has talent; it is whether he can finally turn that talent into a start that lasts long enough to matter. If he does, the Athletics may have found another rotation answer. If he does not, the search for a more permanent spot is likely to keep going.
