:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45811262/464778022.0.jpg)
The Athletics hit Madison Bumgarner for four runs in the 1⅔ innings he pitched to start the game, and the run producing continued, the A's winning 9-4. On offense, Marcus Semien impressed with two home runs, one off Bumgarner and one off Cody Hall. Ben Zobrist has yet to hit a single for Oakland, going 2-for-2 with a triple and a double before exiting.
Brad Mills was granted the win, starting just an inning of the game. Non-roster invitee Rudy Owens had the longest outing, pitching five outs before giving way to switch-pitcher Pat Venditte. He got right-hander Justin Maxwell to ground out to short pitching right-handed, and then struck out Brandon Belt pitching left-handed. Belt looked particularly uncomfortable with Venditte's side-arm action beginning from the first base of the pitcher's plate.
Rather than give you the rest of the blow-by-blow, here's my scorecard for today's action (click to enlarge):
On a programming note, we probably won't do a recap after every game, especially the radio-only weekday ones, but the Cactus League opener was a refreshing return to real baseball, wouldn't you say?
