Youth A’s tasted success again with a 5-1 loss against Royals

At his press conference Wednesday afternoon ahead of that evening’s game between his Oakland Athletics and the Kansas City Royals at the Coliseum, manager Mark Kotsay philosophically discussed the dual task of trying to win games and developing young players.

“We know we are in this process,” Kotsay said. “We have to keep focusing on that and winning games at the same time – and tonight is another chance to go out and do that.”

The A’s took advantage of that opportunity.

Miguel Andujar went 3-for-5 with an RBI, Brent Rooker had two run-scoring singles and Zack Gelof homered for the second straight night as Oakland made it two in a row against KC with a 5-1 decision.

Winner Luis Medina (one run in 5 2/3 innings) combined with four relievers on an eight-hitter. The A’s had dropped nine in a row before these two wins.

Bill Parcells, former NFL head coach, once said, “You are what your record says you are.” The A’s have a 28-48 record after Wednesday’s game, meaning they are on pace for more than 100 losses for the third straight season.

“Winning and losing is how you define success,” Kotsay said, “but success for this club can also be measured by the progress we make and the competitiveness we have in the growth of (an) individual player.”

Kotsay then praised three young players for their improvement.

Kotsay got his first success as a big league manager when he succeeded Bob Melvin as the A’s field boss before the 2022 season. Kotsay’s career record after Wednesday: 138-262.

“It’s no secret. The wins and losses will always be attached to me,” Kotsay said, “but the success of those young players will also be attached to me. That’s where the joy and the reward (comes), really watching those guys become big leaguers before your eyes.

And knowing the vagaries of major league life, Kotsay realizes he may not be able to enjoy the fruits of his and his staff’s efforts as the young players grow into the major league ranks.

“Whether I’m here to see that when they’re grown and playing winning baseball every day,” Kotsay said, driving home the message without finishing the sentence. “That’s no problem. I’ll still have the joy of knowing those guys are having that success.”

Short: Oakland second baseman Max Schuemann, who hit the leadoff hit, walked three. …Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. had two hits, including an RBI double, in four at-bats. He leads the majors with a batting average of .323. …Oakland infielder Abraham Toro missed his second straight game because of soreness in his right shoulder. Kotsay said Toro would be examined by a doctor on Wednesday to determine whether he should be placed on the injured list. … For the second night in a row, the A’s held a moment of silence before the game in memory of Willie Mays.