Coco Crisp Returns to Lineup Friday; A’s Lose First Game of Bay Bridge Series vs. Giants
Oakland Athletics Roundup: Friday, April 1
The Oakland Athletics lost the first game of the Bay Bridge Series on Thursday, falling to the San Francisco Giants in a 3-1 defeat. Chris Bassitt pitched four innings, allowing just three hits and a pair of walks en route to one run, while striking out three. It was a strong showing for Bassitt, who had struggled in Arizona recently. Marc Rzepczynski and Liam Hendriks each allowed one run as well.
For the Giants, Jeff Samardzija one-hit the A’s through five innings, with five strikeouts. It was Josh Osich who allowed a seventh-inning RBI triple to Stephen Vogt, putting the A’s on the board for the first time all night. For more on the rest of the A’s performances, be sure to check out Melson Varsovia’s recap of Thursday’s game.
In other news, Coco Crisp is expected to play center field on Friday night, after missing the last three games with hamstring tightness. CSN’s Joe Stiglich reported that the A’s veteran outfielder fully participated in pregame workouts, and Bob Melvin has no concerns.
Given Crisp’s history, it’s probable that they’ll be very cautious about holding him out of games this season whenever a minor injury like this occurs.
In Case You Missed It
Thursday Throwback: Two 18-Year-Olds Debut With the A’s – In another edition of Thursday Throwback, Rich Paloma tells the stories of Mike Morgan and Tim Conroy, a pair of Oakland Athletics draftees who made their debuts as teenagers straight out of high school. If you like baseball history, this is for you.
Oakland Athletics vs. San Francisco Giants: Position by Position – In honor of the Bay Bridge series, Melson Varsovia looks at each position on the A’s and Giants rosters. Who wins the Battle of the Bay? Be sure to see who gets the edge in each matchup, especially the contest between aces Madison Bumgarner and Sonny Gray.
Five Biggest Surprises of Spring Training – Some things in Spring Training went exactly as planned – Sonny Gray claimed the Opening Day start, and the A’s bullpen looked new and improved. But what were the biggest surprises of camp? Check out five of the most unexpected developments from the A’s spring.
#Athletics
Coco Crisp is testing hamstring with full slate of pregame activity. If comes out of it well, Melvin says he'll start in CF tomorrow night.
— Joe Stiglich (@Joe_Stiglich) April 1, 2016
So excited, I typo'd. Of course: JP Sportman. (Since surpassed in name-itude by Skye Bolt and Dustin Hurlbutt. But still the original.)
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) April 1, 2016
Bob Melvin joked that "a bottle of wine" was involved in getting the Giants to let his team have a DH today.
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) April 1, 2016
Running hard out of the box @SVogt1229 legs a triple during tonight's game. #GreenCollar pic.twitter.com/Ahltyk76P3
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) April 1, 2016
Around the Web
MLB Daily Dish: Teams Pursuing Miguel Gonzalez – Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish reported that the A’s are one of four teams in pursuit of former Baltimore Orioles’ starter Miguel Gonzalez. Gonzalez will become a free agent on Friday if no team claims him off waivers. He’s likely to clear, because he is currently owed $5.1 million for the 2016 season. The White Sox have the most interest, with the Marlins and Blue Jays also reaching out.
Gonzalez is a 31-year-old right-hander who posted a 9.78 ERA this spring. Since 2012, he has a 3.82 ERA in 95 starts and six relief appearances. If Gonzalez was willing to take a minor league deal, it would significantly increase the Athletics’ rotation depth.