Nerves get to Alcantara during shaky debut

OAKLAND — Raul Alcantara’s big league debut went awry Monday afternoon, proving much too short for a fair evaluation.

Alcantara was undoubtedly overwhelmed by his new surroundings, plunking the second batter he faced. The 23-year-old would proceed to hit another by inning’s end and three by the time he exited the game after only three innings.

The Angels led by five runs when he was done, never surrendering the lead despite Oakland’s best efforts in a 10-7 A’s loss.

Alcantara gave up five hits, including a home run to Kole Calhoun, and was also charged with a balk that set up a sacrifice fly in the third, only adding to an already messy scene.

It was seemingly uncharacteristic of the rookie pitcher, who walked only three batters in 45 2/3 innings with Triple-A Nashville, where he compiled a 1.18 ERA in eight starts ahead of his promotion.

“I think it wasn’t me,” Alcantara said, with Alex Arpiza interpreting. “I’m not used to pitching that way.”

“You hit a guy, then you hit another guy, you just get a little bit spooked,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said, “but toward the end of his outing we saw …

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