Montas handed tough loss after 6 strong in NY

NEW YORK -- Tuesday night was an example of why playoff contenders would like to acquire right-hander Frankie Montas before the Trade Deadline on Aug. 2. Montas pitched well against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, but unfortunately, he lost his eighth game of the season as New York edged the A’s, 2-1.

Montas got off to a slow start in the first two innings. The Yankees took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Jose Trevino singled down the right-field line, scoring DJ LeMahieu. An inning later, Montas allowed a solo homer to Marwin Gonzalez to make it a two-run game.

“The first two innings, I felt like I was missing location. I was falling behind in the count a lot,” Montas said. “[The Yankees] are a really good team.”

But Montas settled down after that, retiring 13 of the next 14 hitters before leaving after six innings. According to catcher Sean Murphy, Montas was able to get ahead in the count much better and put guys away. It also helped that he was able to locate his splitter and slider low in the zone.

“The splitter showed up in the later innings, and he was mixing his pitches great, keeping the ball down,” Murphy said.

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Even more impressive, Montas was able to strike out slugger Aaron Judge three times. Judge has been scorching the ball all season, but on Tuesday, Montas was able to pitch low effectively to Judge. Montas was humbled by what he accomplished in those at-bats.

“[Judge] was struggling a little bit. I can’t take credit. He is one of the hottest hitters right now,” Montas said. “So he had a tough night. I probably had my best stuff against him tonight.”

The reason for Montas’ 3-8 record is less because of his performance and more due to lack of run support. Tuesday marked the 10th time in the past 11 starts he's received one run of support or fewer, and it bothers A’s hitters like Murphy.

“It’s not his fault,” Murphy said. “He pitched as well as he could. He was great again tonight.”

Montas doesn’t let the lack of run support bother him.

“I can’t worry about that. I have to do my job,” Montas said. “I have to try to keep the team in the game. [The offense] is trying to score runs. It’s not like they don’t want to.”

There are reports that teams like the Yankees would like to acquire Montas' services before the Trade Deadline. How does he feel about the possibility of being traded?

“I try to block [it out],” Montas said. “I just pitch and be me. I try to help the team as much as I can. I’m an Oakland A right now. I have to do my job here.”

Asked if he wanted to stay with Oakland, Montas said, “I don’t mind it.”