A’s young stars come up big in win over Mets
Chapman’s blast, Gossett’s quality start key victory
Only those who experience it can truly understand how difficult it can be to gain a foothold in the major leagues.
For those who struggle at the outset, the mountain becomes even more treacherous to climb.
Right-hander Daniel Gossett and third baseman Matt Chapman, top A’s prospects, know what it is to encounter early woes. Their performances in Sunday’s 3-2 victory against the Mets at Citi Field suggest they may be better for withstanding them.
Gossett (2-5) limited the Mets to two runs and five hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out six in delivering his second consecutive strong start. Chapman’s two-out solo home run in the seventh inning off Rafael Montero (1-7) provided the winning run.
The blast marked Chapman’s second homer in as many games and his fourth major league homer since his June 15 promotion from Triple-A Nashville. All have come since the All-Star break.
Gossett, who is 24 years old as is Chapman, endured the worst major league debut in franchise history when he was pounded for seven runs in 3 1/3 innings at Miami on June 14.
His five losses in his first six decisions marked the second worst beginning by an A’s pitcher, exceeded only by Mike Morgan.
The hapless Morgan lost each of his first nine career games.
Gossett indicated that much adversity had weighed heavily on him.
“I think it did more than most know,” he said. “I was doing pretty well at Triple A and then I struggled a little bit. It was hard to trust the process and, through failure, you have to trust the process.”
He said he worked between starts on being more aggressive with his delivery and felt a difference in his demeanor.
“I didn’t feel I was out there surviving,” he said. “I felt I was out there competing, and I think that’s essential playing against the highest caliber as we do.”
The mental grit of Chapman, the A’s first-round selection in the 2014 draft before Gossett was taken in the second round, also has been tested. The former Cal State Fullerton star began play on Sunday with a meager .185 batting average.
He had struck out 26 times through his first 65 at-bats.
Manager Bob Melvin said of Chapman, “There are going to be some struggles, but he’s always one swing away from putting the ball in the seats, and today was a huge one.”
Chapman was tied for third in the Pacific Coast League with 16 home runs and ranked fifth with a .589 slugging percentage when he was promoted.
The A’s bullpen, awful to watch of late, held up well. Daniel Coulombe, Blake Treinen and Santiago Casilla all worked scoreless innings. Casilla notched his 16th save in 21 opportunities.
• Melvin said righthander Ryan Dull, placed on the disabled list on May 20 with a strained knee, may rejoin the team in time for the end of a four-game series in Toronto on Thursday.