Reddick and Moss Drop the Rockies With the Longball
By Sean Davis
There’s no doubt the A’s have been scuffling a bit thus far in the young Cactus League. Coming into this afternoon’s contest against the Colorado Rockies at Phoenix Muni the A’s were sitting at just 2-5, and had given up many a crooked number so far. It’s to be expected though, as many times pitchers are working on certain pitches, honing their command once again, and just getting ready for the regular season. Still, the A’s would like to see themselves right the ship and win some games. Today was a good step in the right direction as they topped the Rockies 6-3.
September 30, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics right fielder Josh Reddick (16) and first baseman Brandon Moss (37) celebrate after Reddick hit a home run during the eighth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Tommy Milone started the game, and delivered 2 solid innings of work, not allowing a hit and walking one with a strikeout. He gave way to the youngster Sonny Gray who had given up a couple runs in his first outing, but looked much more in control of himself this time around. Gray worked around a hit and a walk in his 2 inning stint, and struck out 2 in the process. Mike Ekstrom worked a clean 5th inning today as well. The only blemish came from Andrew Werner, who allowed a 3-run homer to Nolan Arenado in the 6th inning during his 2 innings of work. Fernando Rodriguez worked a clean 8th inning, and Arnold Leon closed things out in the 9th for the save.
The offense for the Athletics came from two familiar power sources as Josh Reddick connected for a 3-run bomb in the 3rd, and Brandon Moss hit a solo homer in the 4th. Eric Sogard added an RBI single, and Michael Choice drove in a run with a sacrifice fly for the other two runs today. Coco Crisp, Shane Peterson, and Reddick each had two of the A’s ten hits today, Moss, Sogard, Choice, and Seth Smith accounted for the other hits.
The A’s will meet the Rockies once again, this time in Scottsdale at Salt River Fields. A.J. Griffin will take the hill for the second time this spring, he’ll be opposed by the lefty Jorge De La Rosa for the Rockies.