Sandoval, Cueto Lead Giants Over A's In Bay Bridge Game
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Pablo Sandoval hit his fourth home run this spring, Johnny Cueto pitched into the sixth inning and the San Francisco Giants beat the Oakland Athletics 5-1 Sunday in the opener of the three-game Bay Bridge exhibition series.
Buster Posey had two hits, including a two-run double off A's starter Daniel Gossett. Sandoval added a sacrifice fly.
Cueto, who's had an uneven spring, gave up one run and five hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out six and walked one.
Gossett allowed four runs on five hits and one walk in 3 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old right-hander was making his fifth appearance and first start of the spring.
Giants center fielder Steven Duggar robbed Matt Joyce of a two-run homer in the third. The 24-year-old, who's competing for a roster spot, reached over the wall near the 400-foot sign to make the catch.
A's reliever Yusmeiro Petit pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief as he extended his streak of consecutive innings without allowing a walk this spring to 11. The 33-year-old righty, who signed with the A's as a free agent over the offseason, has an 0.82 ERA in eight spring training appearances.
STARTING OUT
LHP Ty Blach will start Thursday's season opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. Blach will pitch in place of staff ace Madison Bumgarner, who had surgery on Saturday to have three pins inserted into the broken pinkie on his left hand.
GETTING CLOSE
RHP Trevor Cahill will pitch three innings in Oakland's last exhibition game on Tuesday, manager Bob Melvin said. Cahill, who last week signed a one-year $1.25 million contract with the A's, will be pitching for just the second time this spring. He'll start the season in the bullpen but is expected to join the rotation after building up his arm strength.
UP NEXT
LHP Derek Holland will pitch for the Giants on Monday when the Bay Bridge exhibition series moves to San Francisco. RHP Daniel Mengden will pitch for the A's.
