The Athletics continued their hot spring with a huge 13-run outburst against the Cincinnati Reds.
The youth movement was on display today with Lawrence Butler, Zack Gelof, and Jacob Wilson taking control on offense. Butler led the way with a three-run homer off the Reds’ young ace Hunter Greene in the bottom of the 2nd. Gelof had a two-run blast of his own, giving hope that last season’s struggles may be behind. Meanwhile, Wilson had a Wilson-esque night, slapping three singles around the field and racking up a trio of RBIs.
On the pitching side, the staff impressively held the Reds to just one run, earned by starter Jeffrey Springs, whose main goal is just to get through the spring healthy and physically ready for the regular season. Michel Otañez, Mason Miller, and T.J. McFarland followed Springs with a preview of what the end of A’s games might look like with three near-perfect innings. Top prospect Jack Perkins also showed he might be ready for a big league shot soon, pitching three scoreless innings later in the game. Grant Holman blanked the Reds to finish the game.
The A’s are back tomorrow with Osvaldo Bido taking on Kyle Hendricks and the Angels.