OAKLAND, Calif. _ Frankie Montas has always had the makeup of a prototypical ace. He's got the strong body type that allows him to pitch deep into games. The blazing fastball to pump by hitters for strikeouts. All that has been missing is the consistency.
He might be figuring out that last piece to his game this season.
Montas carried over his dominant spring training numbers into his first start of the regular season by continuing what has been a strong run of pitching by A's starters to begin the year. The right-hander followed up six-inning performances by his fellow rotation mates from the previous three games with six strong innings of his own, allowing just one run on three hits with no walks and six strikeouts in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels in front of 23,265 fans at the Oakland Coliseum.
"He was a little amped up to begin the game," A's manager Bob Melvin said of Montas, who allowed the first two batters to reach base. "Nick Hundley did a good job with him. Got him to throw a couple of splits and made him get his arm across the body. Other than one pitch, that's exactly what we hoped for."
Pitch command is really what separates Montas now. He began his career as a hard-throwing prospect who at times had trouble throwing strikes. Montas hit Mike Trout with a pitch in the first but went on a string of 16 consecutive batters retired after that before surrendering a solo home run to Kole Calhoun in the sixth that put the Angels (1-3) on the board.
Montas was pulled after allowing a double to Justin Bour leading off the seventh, but the strong outing capped off yet another solid performance from a member of the starting rotation that might not be as much of a weakness as originally thought coming out of spring training.
"We didn't have enough spring to really think this could potentially happen," Melvin said. "I don't think you ever envision four guys going out there and giving you these results. Frankie was the one guy that was really coming along. It all just came together and we got four really good outings from our starters."
Not only was Montas able to consistently throw his fastball for strikes, but also the new splitter he added to his repertoire this spring in an effort to boost his chances to make the Opening Day starting rotation.
"The splitter has made a big difference. Now I have three plus-pitches and hitters can't just worry about the fastball and slider. They have to worry about another pitch."
The A's do not have a true "ace" on their starting staff as it stands. Mike Fiers was given the Opening Day start, but if any pitcher currently in the rotation has the ability to evolve into that dominant pitcher that can carry a rotation, Montas would be that guy.
Now figuring it all out at 26, Montas has gained confidence on the mound to go with his electric stuff. His spot in the rotation was not a lock in spring. Now he knows he belongs.
"He's throwing strikes now," A's shortstop Marcus Semien said. "When you have three pitches, you're a lot better when you throw 98 mph. His splitter is going to be big against lefties and his slider looked great. I'm excited to watch him this year."
Khris Davis kept pace with his four-way hold for the major league lead in home runs as he crushed his fourth of the year in the fourth inning. It was a solo shot off Tyler Skaggs that gave the A's (3-3) a 1-0 lead at the time. Davis joined Mark McGwire (5 in 1992) and Jimmie Foxx (4 in 1932) as the only A's players with at least four home runs through the first six games of the season.
Known for his opposite-field power, Davis pulled the ball over the left-field wall for a third consecutive homer.
"Usually he starts off a little slower, it's good to see him start out hot," Semien said of Davis. "He's pulling homers now, too, which is great."
Semien doubled in the fifth and later scored on a single by Matt Chapman to add to the A's lead. Praised over the years by A's manager Bob Melvin for his consistency, Semien has been the model to begin the new season. Finishing the day 2 for 4, Semien has recorded at least one hit in each of the A's first six games and is batting .409.
"He becomes a better hitter every year," Melvin said. "Nobody works harder than Marcus Semien. He knows what he needs to work on and takes coaching very well. At one point in time, he was just a power hitter. He's confident and nobody is going to outwork him."
The bridge to Blake Treinen was flawless after a shaky performance the previous two nights. Pitching after a day of rest, Lou Trivino held the Angels hitless in the seventh, as did Joakim Soria in the eighth. Treinen shut the door in the ninth for his second save of the year and second in as many days. The A's took three of four from the Angels and welcome the Boston Red Sox on Monday night for the start of a four-game series.
