Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay and Oakland Athletics players met with reporters on June 15, 2026, following an 11-run, 15-hit series-opening win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Kotsay noted that nearly every player in the lineup contributed offensively, stating that "the only guy maybe in the lineup without a hit was Carlos Cortez tonight." He added that the opposing pitcher had reached 50 pitches after just two innings. Kotsay also emphasized that the performance validated the team's lineup beyond the confines of their Las Vegas home park: "we just didn't get those hits because it is Vegas, we're actually a really good ball club and a really good lineup and we can hit the ball anywhere."
Kotsay praised the maturity of starting pitcher JT, who worked through a defensive miscue without losing his composure. "We made a mistake behind him defensively and he kept grinding and got outs," Kotsay said, calling it another step forward in JT's development. JT explained that he and catcher Shay — whom he described as someone he trusts completely behind the plate — had a clear game plan entering the contest. "Me and Shay had a great plan going into it and I was able to execute it and make big pitches when I had some runners on base," JT stated, adding that he got through six innings despite not having his best stuff. JT also mentioned that his background playing infield growing up and in college helped him handle a key double play that allowed him to escape trouble.
Jeff McNeel, who tied his season RBI total with four RBIs in the game, credited a cage session with Willie for helping him find things in his swing. McNeel also attributed part of his mental reset to playing first base the day before — a deliberate move by Kotsay to break his routine at second base and give Curt Casali a day off his feet. "Playing first base yesterday was fun for me, kind of break the routine and it kind of clears your mind a little bit, thing might have carried over today," McNeel said. Kotsay acknowledged that McNeel had been working through a rough offensive stretch and that the positional change was intended to help him reset. Kotsay also noted that Casali's OPS is now better than it was during his rookie year — which he recalled was over 1,000 — and that Casali currently sits fourth in All-Star voting.
Lawrence Butler, whose offensive turnaround Kotsay described as turning the page, explained his approach at the plate: "My always my go-to is walks and barrels, if they don't give me pitch to hit, take the walk and if they do, put the barrel on it." Kotsay noted that a relaxed hit off a left-handed pitcher during the road trip served as a visible turning point for Butler, adding that "the hits are now going where people aren't and that's a good thing for confidence." Butler stated that his OPS in the 2026 season is now higher than it was in his first year.
On the bullpen, Kotsay declined to make any announcement regarding Savala, stating he had not yet spoken with the pitcher and would make an announcement on June 16, 2026.