Maybe a little panic isn’t out of the question as it relates to Oakland Athletics starterA.J. Griffin. But fortunately, it seems, the A’s haveJesse Chavezto come to the rescue.
The right-hander now has a 10.38 ERA this spring after he was rocked for five runs on nine hits—including a pair of homers—in 3.2 innings Thursday night against the Colorado Rockies.
But the A’s (7-6) got the bats going, scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead and cruising to a 10-5 win over the Rockies (8-9) at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, with Chavez scattering five hits in four scoreless innings to close it out.
Chavez, projected for long relief, has now thrown 12.2 scoreless innings this spring, allowing only four hits.
Griffin gave up a run in the first, hitting the leadoff batter,Brandon Barnes, surrendering a double toCharlie Culbersonand an RBI single toCorey Dickerson.
Wilin Rosarioled off the second with a homer to left-center off Griffin to tie the game 2-2 and Dickerson tied it again in the third with a sacrifice fly. In the fourth, Griffin coughed up a two-run homer toTim Wheelerthat put the Rockies up 5-3 and after allowing two more hits, managerBob Melvincame with the hook and brought inDeryk Hooker(1-0), who fanned Culberson to end the inning.
Facing Rockies relieverMatt Belisle,Alberto Callaspogreeted him with a leadoff single and one out later,Nick Puntoreached on a bunt single up the third base line.Coco Crisphit a ground shot that deflected off second baseman D.J. LeMahieu for an infield hit that scored Callaspo, with runners moving up to second and third on the throw.
Josh Donaldsonwalked to load the bases andJed Lowriepromptly unloaded them, smacking the first pitch to left field to clear the bases and put the A’s up 7-5.
Oakland got its first run in the bottom of the first after Crisp and Donaldson drew back-to-back walks to start the game against Colorado starterTyler Chatwood. Lowrie hit into a fielder’s choice, with Donaldson erased at second. With runners at the corners, Culberson bootedYoenis Cespedes’ grounder to third, allowing Crisp to score. A wild pitch moved runners to second and third and afterBrandon Mossstruck out,Josh Reddickreached on an infield single to score Lowrie.
After Colorado tied the game in the top of the second, the A’s reclaimed the lead as Bob Melvin made his first replay challenge of the spring.Stephen Vogtand Punto had back-to-back singles to lead off the inning and Crisp was initially called out to complete a double play after hitting a grounder to second. Melvin argued that Crisp had beaten the relay and replay confirmed that. Vogt scored on the play regardless, but the inning proceeded with one on and one out rather than the bases empty and two outs.
Josh Donaldson added an RBI single in the sixth, scoring Crisp, who had doubled and moved to third on an error by Colorado center fielderJason Pridie.
In the eighth, Oakland added two more runs.Jake Elmoreled off with a walk and went to third on a single byBilly McKinney. After an out,Chris Gimenezdoubled to left to knock in Elmore and McKinney then scored on an RBI fielder’s choice byNate Freiman.
Luke Gregersonallowed a hit and a walk and struck out two while working a scoreless fifth inning for the A’s, who banged out 13 hits, two apiece for Crisp and Punto.
Oakland heads to Surprise Stadium on Friday to take on the Kansas City Royals at 1:05 p.m. Pacific.
Add us as a preferred source onGoogleLoading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations