The A¡¯s expect better days ahead for Daulton Jefferies after his Major League debut.

Called up to start the first game of a seven-inning doubleheader against the Rangers on Saturday at Globe Life Field, Jefferies received a rough welcome to the big leagues in a 5-2 loss. The right-hander surrendered a pair of home runs and was tagged for a five-run first, leading to a departure after just two innings.

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Jefferies, Oakland¡¯s No. 7 prospect and top right-handed farmhand, positioned himself for a callup last year after putting together a brilliant strikeout-to-walk ratio in the Minor Leagues, with 93 strikeouts against nine walks. So it was a bit peculiar that his downfall in the 36-pitch first was the result of two walks issued to the first four batters before a three-run shot by Rougned Odor.

Jefferies was really one strike away from avoiding the first-inning troubles, getting to a 1-2 count to No. 4 hitter Joey Gallo with two outs, before walking him and allowing all five runs on homers to Odor and Ronald Guzm¨¢n.

Was the 25-year-old Jefferies feeling the typical nerves that come with a Major League debut?

¡°I think so,¡± A¡¯s manager Bob Melvin said, ¡°based on the fact that he walked a couple of guys and he never walks anybody. He was probably a little amped up. The homers came on changeups thrown at a higher velocity than he normally throws them. First inning can be tough, regardless. In your first start, you give up a three-run homer, it can get to your nerves a little bit.¡±

In a small bit of redemption, Jefferies was able to finish his outing on a good note. The righty went back out for the second and tossed a scoreless frame, finishing his debut with five earned runs on five hits and two walks with the lone punchout over two innings.

¡°With his injury history, we didn¡¯t want him throwing 40 pitches in the first,¡± Melvin said. ¡°At least he gave us a couple of innings and settled down after that. He¡¯ll be better next time.¡±

The early five-run hole was too much for the A¡¯s offense to overcome. Collecting just four hits on the day, Oakland¡¯s two runs came on Jonah Heim¡¯s RBI single in the third and an RBI double by Matt Olson in the sixth.

In a game low on positives for the A¡¯s, reliever Jordan Weems provided a bright spot by saving the bullpen in impressive fashion. The right-hander took over for Jefferies to begin the bottom of the third and tossed three perfect innings with five strikeouts on 38 pitches.

¡°That was terrific. We needed that,¡± Melvin said. ¡°He really didn¡¯t throw a ton of pitches in three innings. When you¡¯re in a stretch like this, you¡¯re trying to keep as many guys available as you can. Jordan saved us.¡±