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Spring Game #13: A’s win despite getting just 2 hits

A’s beat Cubs 5-2

Franklin Barreto started both A’s rallies.
Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images

The A’s beat the Cubs 5-2 in Cactus League action on Monday. It was Oakland’s fifth straight win, and after opening the spring with five straight losses they’ve now improved their record to 7-6.

*** Click here to revisit today’s Game Thread! ***

The A’s didn’t collect any hits through the first five innings. Their only baserunners during that span came on a pair of walks, both by catcher Sean Murphy, who was making his Cactus League debut after recovering from a minor offseason knee cleanup. (Here’s more on Murphy’s first game, from insider Martin Gallegos.)

The no-hitter was finally broken up by 2B candidate Franklin Barreto, who tripled to lead off the 6th and then scored on a sac fly by 1st-round draft pick Logan Davidson. Oakland manufactured another run later in the inning thanks to a HBP and a throwing error.

Quick nod to Melissa Lockard for helping bust the no-no:

Barreto sparked another rally in the 8th, this time with a leadoff walk. Once aboard, he stole second base, and moved to third on a throwing error. Davidson followed with a walk, and then another walk loaded the bases. Outfield prospect Buddy Reed grounded into an RBI forceout, Luis Barrera singled to drive in a second run, and minor league free agent infielder Eric Campbell lofted a sac fly to plate a third one. That was all the offense the A’s needed.

On the other side of the ball, the pitching staff held Chicago scoreless until the 9th inning, narrowly missing a shutout. Frankie Montas started and threw two hitless innings, allowing just a walk and a HBP. And who did he hit? His old catcher, Josh Phegley.

In terms of stuff, Montas seemed sharp.

And how about that splitter?

Lou Trivino and Liam Hendriks each followed with a scoreless inning, with both navigating around some baserunners (esp Trivino) but also combining for five strikeouts. The lesser-known portion of the spring staff kept zeroes on the board until the 9th, when prospect Parker Dunshee allowed a Cubs rally — a single, HBP, single, and RBI groundout, for two total runs.

That was enough to hold on, though, and the A’s won 5-2.