Athletics manager Mark Kotsay plans to evaluate the team's younger pitchers over the remaining months of the season to determine which could be part of the organization's long-term plans. Despite a recent 8-6 loss to the Tigers, Perkins remains confident despite a "learning curve" for these young pitchers. Perkins was solid throughout the game, setting down 11 of the next 13 batters faced before serving up a leadoff single to McGonigle in the fifth and a two-run home run by Gleyber Torres in the sixth. Despite these struggles, Perkins believes he continues to improve and believes he can continue to improve.