Rookies' night as Avans, Clarke tally first MLB hits for A's

HOUSTON -- Most of the A’s would just as soon forget Tuesday night’s 11-1 loss to the Astros at Daikin Park. But the night was quite memorable for Drew Avans and Denzel Clarke (the A's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline).

Avans, making his Major League debut at age 28, and Clarke, a 25-year-old playing in his fourth MLB game, each collected his first hit in The Show.

Avans was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday to take the roster spot of first baseman Nick Kurtz, who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hip flexor.

With the A’s well on the way to their 12th loss in 13 games, Avans entered as a substitute in right field in the bottom of the seventh, knowing he’d get a chance to hit in either the eighth or ninth.

"I was just glad to get in there one way or another,” said Avans, who spent the first six seasons of his professional career in the Dodgers organization before signing a Minor League contract with the A’s last November. “A little nervous to begin with, but after the first couple pitches, it’s just another game. I knew I was going to get one at-bat. And I just wanted to get a good pitch to hit and not miss it."

Leading off the A’s ninth, Avans took a high fastball from Forrest Whitley before sending a sinker on the inner part of the plate to center field, where a charging Jake Meyers had no chance to catch it.

"Just shows the professionalism of Drew, coming in prepared and ready to go up and take an at-bat,” said A’s manager Mark Kotsay.

Clarke, who had been hitless in his first 11 at-bats in the Majors, hit a slow bouncer off Hunter Brown with one out in the sixth and the A’s trailing 9-1. Third baseman Isaac Paredes ate the ball, knowing he had no chance to throw out the speedy center fielder.

It wasn’t lost on Clarke that the hit came off one of the American League’s top pitchers of 2025. Brown earned his seventh win, tying him for the Major League lead, and lowered his ERA to 2.00. Clarke had been one of Brown’s eight strikeout victims when he faced him in the third.

"He’s got great stuff,” Clarke said. “[I’m] just making an adjustment to this big-league level. It’s cool to see one of the top pitchers in the game, how his stuff plays, and the adjustments I need to make to take steps moving forward.

"Just happy to get the first one out of the way. … Hopefully, the first of many.”

Avans, who hails from Alabaster, Ala., but has lived in New Orleans for roughly 10 years, said his wife, son, mother and in-laws -- plus a lot of friends from Southeastern Louisiana University, his college alma mater -- were on hand for a moment that was a long time coming. For at least a day, they can all say they know someone batting 1.000 as a Major Leaguer.

Avans became the 43rd player used by the A’s this season and the 10th to make his MLB debut. Among those happiest for him was Clarke.

"I told him earlier this year when we were in Triple-A he’s one of my favorite teammates,” Clarke said. “Goes about everything the right way, so I’m super happy for him. Looking forward to how we can both go get some wins with this team in the future.”

Avans reciprocated his teammate’s feelings.

"Denz is the man,” Avans said. “He’s the first one to give you a high-five or anything like that. He brings a lot of energy, and to see him get that first one out of the way is really special.”