Baseball
Baseball
Diamondbacks Call Up Rookie Pitcher Kohl Drake for Series Matchup Against Athletics
The Arizona Diamondbacks are set to feature a new face on the mound tonight as rookie right-hander Kohl Drake makes his major league debut against the Athletics at Chase Field. This marks the seventh player debut for the Diamondbacks this season, with Drake being the third starting pitcher to reach the majors for Arizona in 2026. The 26-year-old was recalled from Triple-A Reno, where he posted a 6.92 ERA across 16 starts and one relief appearance.
Drake, acquired in a trade with the Rangers, will face off against Athletics right-hander Jack Perkins in the second game of their three-game series in Phoenix. Perkins, also 26, enters the contest with a 2-5 record and a 6.87 ERA over 57.2 innings this season. The Athletics secured a 5-2 victory in the series opener, fueled by a home run from Joshua Kuroda-Grauer and a strong offensive night from Tommy White.
The Athletics, despite their recent win, have struggled significantly, holding a 43-57 record. They haven’t managed consecutive victories in weeks and possess the worst run differential in the majors at minus-111. Their pitching staff has been a particular concern, owning a 5.29 ERA, better than only one other team in the league.
Manager Mark Kotsay’s team does boast some promising young talent, including All-Star catcher Shea Langeliers, outfielder Nick Kurtz, and shortstop Jacob Wilson, who homered in Monday’s win. However, the team’s overall performance has plummeted since a strong start to the season where they spent 44 days in or tied for first place in their division, a stark contrast to their current position much closer to last place. The Diamondbacks also made a roster move, recalling right-hander Gerardo Carrillo from Triple-A Reno.
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