GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) – Sonny Gray pitched three innings in his first start of the spring and then was named Oakland’s opening day starter after the Athletics hammered the Chicago White Sox 12-3 Wednesday.
Oakland manager Bob Melvin said postgame the right-hander will pitch the opener April 4 against the White Sox.
Gray walked one and struck out four, giving up one run on three straight hits in the second.
Josh Reddick hit a two-run triple in the top of the second to help the A’s get five runs in 2 2-3 innings against White Sox starter Jacob Turner.
Oakland scored in every inning but the eighth. Danny Valencia had an RBI single in the first, and Josh Phegley and Joey Wendle doubled in runs in the third.
Andrew Lambo and Matt Chapman homered for the A’s. Sam Fuld and Jake Smolinski had three hits apiece.
A’s lefty Felix Doubront struck out six in his three scoreless innings.
Spring training baseball continues this Sarurday, when the White Sox play the Cubs. Pre-game coverage begins at 130, first pitch at 205pm on WLS-AM 890.
AP-WF 3/9/2016 18:13