Another rookie dazzles in debut
Silseth goes six strong innings for the win and Velazquez backs him with a home run.
OAKLAND — Chase Silseth allowed one hit in six strong innings while becoming the first player from last year’s draft to make his major league debut, leading the Angels to a 2-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night.
An 11th-round draft 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 getting called up from double-A Rock City before the game — five days before his 22nd birthday.
“Still speechless, still processing everything,” Silseth said. “You totally dream of that phone call or the manager telling you that you’re going up to the big leagues to start a game. When I was initially told, I got emotional.
“My uncle died this past fall and the last thing he said to me was, ‘You’re going to make it.’ That was for him.”
Silseth (1-0) dazzled the Athletics with a fastball clocked at 98 mph and a steady sinker and slider that helped produce eight groundouts. The righthander finished with four strikeouts and two walks during his 81-pitch outing, and only one runner reached second base.
“Great impression, but that’s what he’s been doing,” Angels manager Joe Maddon said. “I’ve been hearing about this fella since spring training. That’s no fluke. That kid’s good.”
Aaron Loup and Ryan Tepera each retired three batters before Raisel Iglesias pitched the ninth for his eighth save to complete the two-hitter.
Anthony Rendon had two hits for the Angels. Andrew Velazquez added his second career home run.
Elvis Andrus had the Athletics’ only hit off Silseth with a leadoff single in the third, but he was erased on a double play trying to advance to third on a fly out to left field. Andrus also singled in the eighth.
“The kid did a great job attacking us,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said.