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The spring renaissance of Oakland Athletics swingman Felix Doubront came to a screeching halt Thursday night in Mesa in their 12-1 loss to the Texas Rangers. Coming into the game with a 3.00 ERA in 12 innings, Doubront allowed seven more and failed to retire a batter in the fifth inning. The walks that have plagued Doubront over his inconsistent career plagued him tonight as he allowed three while striking out just two.
Maybe not Doubront's best outing for #Athletics but better than his line indicates, Melvin says.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) March 25, 2016
Defensively, Jed Lowrie picked up his first start at shortstop, where he may play a few innings this season if the roster crunch does not allow for Eric Sogard or Tyler Ladendorf to join Oakland. Lowrie had a fielding error in the first on what should have been a double play ball, but he was able to start another double play in the first to end the inning instead.
Melvin thought Lowrie looked more comfortable at SS as the night went along.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) March 25, 2016
Chris Coghlan continues to look like he'll be a capable second baseman when the utility player is thrust there. He made an impressive sliding stop to retire Drew Stubbs, who was running from first, and nearly completed a double play.
On offense, Khris Davis earned his annual spring training home run, a booming solo shot to left field off of A.J. Griffin that tied the game. Last year, Davis also hit just one spring training home run before going on to hit a career-high 27 in the regular year. That was it for the A's against Griffin, Cesar Ramos, and Chad Smith; they combined to allow just seven hits while striking out eight A's and walking two.
There was a minor injury scare after Josh Reddick fouled two balls off his right foot in the same plate appearance, but he continued and reports are he's fine:
Melvin says Reddick is ok after fouling consecutive pitches off his ankle and then his toe
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) March 25, 2016
Scorecards!
I'm just about ready for the games that count to start. The A's are televised live on MLB Network tomorrow and on Fox Sports West at one o'clock. Sean Manaea will start that game while Rich Hill will pitch in another minor league game.
