A’s manager Mark Kotsay made slight tweaks to his lineup prior to Tuesday’s game against the Braves at Truist Park.
Kotsay tabbed Jacob Wilson as the team’s leadoff hitter for the first time this season, knowing that the A’s were facing Braves left-handed starting pitcher José Suarez.
Kotsay’s lineup adjustments paid dividends, as the A’s are no longer MLB’s lone winless team.
Wilson’s Impact at the Top of the Order
Wilson went 2-for-4 with two RBIs on the night. His second-inning two-run double off Suarez wound up being the difference as the A’s downed the Braves, 5-2, to earn their first win of 2026.
“It’s mostly a matchup thing with the lineup right now, and it gives us a chance to get to the starter,” Kotsay said ahead of Tuesday’s game, explaining the decision to put Wilson in the leadoff spot.
Wilson has been off to an uncharacteristically slow start this season, tallying five strikeouts over his first five games. Last season, Wilson only struck out 39 times in 486 at-bats.
Wilson’s two-run knock in the second inning was a ground-rule double with the bases loaded that just stayed fair as it landed on the chalk down the left-field line. His second hit was a bunt single that just stayed fair down the first-base line.
“It’s a game of inches, for sure,” Wilson said.
A Much-Needed Victory
The A’s tagged Suarez with four runs on five hits as the Atlanta southpaw went 3 2/3 innings. The A’s avoided an 0-5 start, having not dropped their first five games since 2021, when the squad went 0-6 to start the season.
“Obviously, with the start we had, coming into Atlanta and getting a win is a good feeling,” Kotsay said.
Another right-handed hitter — second baseman Andy Ibáñez — tallied two RBI singles off Suarez.
Wilson’s Birthday Wish Fulfilled
The A’s first win was a belated birthday gift for Wilson, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Monday.
“I wanted to win [on my birthday Monday], but if we couldn’t do it [Monday], to be able to do it on the first day of being 24 is pretty cool,” Wilson said.
Starting pitcher Aaron Civale put together a strong outing in his A’s debut as he allowed two runs on four hits with three strikeouts. He gave up a first-inning home run to Braves catcher Drake Baldwin — the second batter he faced — but allowed just three hits throughout.
“We have another game [on Wednesday]. You enjoy [the win] for a while and then you turn the page and you know you have to compete again tomorrow,” Kotsay said.