Pitchers usually pay little attention to their stats early in
spring training, but Gio Gonzalez can only hope his pitching line
Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds is a sign of things to come.
The left-hander, in his first Cactus League start, struck out five
of the six hitters he faced in two innings during the A’s 7-6 loss
at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
PHOENIX
Pitchers usually pay little attention to their stats early in spring training, but Gio Gonzalez can only hope his pitching line Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds is a sign of things to come.
The left-hander, in his first Cactus League start, struck out five of the six hitters he faced in two innings during the A’s 7-6 loss at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
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Four of the five strikeouts were looking. The other came on a check-swing by Jay Bruce, on one of many crisp curveballs Gonzalez snapped off.
“That was amazing,” manager Bob Geren said. “He was sharp as can be.”
Gonzalez threw 17 of his 23 pitches for strikes and touched 95 mph, according to Geren. With the fastball and curveball clicking, Gonzalez didn’t even bother throwing his changeup. After exiting the game, he threw 15 pitches in the bullpen to work on that pitch.
A year ago, Gonzalez was battling Trevor Cahill to be the fifth starter. He has a rotation spot cinched this season, so he can fine-tune things without a lot riding on each outing.
“You still have to go out there and try to perform,” Gonzalez said. “At the same time, I don’t have to kill myself like I did last year.”
—Last season, No. 2 hitter Daric Barton often bunted to advance runners even without getting a bunt signal.
He wound up with 12 sacrifice bunts, the most by a major league first baseman since Rod Carew had 16 with the California Angels in 1982.
Geren said he talked with Barton midway through the season about swinging away in such situations, adding that Barton won’t have the voluntary bunt option this season.
“If you’re just giving yourself up time after time early in the game, it’s probably better if you don’t do that,” Geren said. “He’s too good of a hitter to give himself up.”
—Rickey Henderson arrived at camp and will work as a special instructor as he did last season, focusing on baserunning and outfield play. . . . Closer Andrew Bailey threw a 40-pitch bullpen session. His first exhibition appearance could come in a few days. . . . Right fielder David DeJesus (illness) could play Wednesday against Cleveland. . . . The A’s drew just 1,631 to Tuesday’s exhibition home opener.
— Story by Joe Stiglich, Contra Costa Times
