Sonny Gray Shaky As Oakland Athletics Rally To Salvage Tie With Diamondbacks

Feb 18, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) simulates a throw during a workout at Papago Park. Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Sonny Graywas lit up for four runs in his only inning of work Thursday andLuke Montzdrove in the game-tying run with a sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth as the Oakland Athletics and Arizona Diamondbacks played to an 8-8, 10-inning tie at Salt River Fields.

Gray was roughed up for four runs on five hits in the bottom of the first, surrendering a two-run double toMartin Prado, an RBI single byGerardo Parraand a run-scoring groundout byMatt Tuiasosopo.

That was after the A’s hit former Oakland right-handerTrevor Cahillhard in the top of the first.

Jed Lowrieslapped a one-out double and came home one out later on a single byYoenis Cespedes. AfterBrandon Mosssingled through the right side of the infield,Josh DonaldsonandJohn Jasoproduced back-to-back RBI singles to give the A’s a short-lived 3-0 lead.

Sam Fuldtied it up for Oakland to lead off the second, hitting a homer—his first of the spring—to right field. The A’s got the lead back in the third. Cespedes led off the inning with a double and Moss followed with a two-run blast to right field to put Oakland up 6-4.

All of the early damage came off Cahil, who worked three innings and gave up eight hits while striking out four.

The A’s made it 7-4 in the fourth.Coco Crispdrew a one-out walk off relieverJoe Thatcher, moved up on a ground ball out and scored onJosh Reddick’s double to right.

Parra had an RBI single for Arizona in the bottom of the fifth offJim Johnsonthat closed the gap to 7-5 before the Diamondbacks took the lead by hanging up a three-spot in the eighth.

Jake Lambhit a one-out homer offFernando Abad, who was entering his second inning of work, andNick Evansfollowed with a single. AfterJeremy McBryderelieved Abad, Aldredo Marte homered to left to put Arizona up 8-7.

In the ninth,Addison Russellled off with a triple off Diamondbacks relieverJake Barrettand afterMichael Taylorstruck out, Montz hit a fly ball to center deep enough to bring home Russell for the tie.

Andrew Wernerworked a scoreless inning for the A’s, allowing two hits,Dan Oterostruck out two in two perfect frames.Sean Doolittlefollowed Johnson and struck out one in a 1-2-3 sixth. Abad was charged with two runs on two hits in 1.1 innings while McBryde was charged with a blown save.Seth Frankoffallowed a hit and a walk with a strikeout in a scoreless ninth andMatt Buschmannset down Arizona in order in the 10th.

It was the second tie of the spring for the A’s (5-3), who will host the Diamondbacks at Phoenix Municipal Stadium at 12:05 p.m. Pacific on Friday.

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