A's Escape Cubs' Lead
Thursday, The Chicago Cubs took a late lead over the Oakland A's with three home runs. The Cubs couldn't hang on, however, as Oakland took the lead with a three-run ninth inning.
Conor Jackson hit a game-ending double to cap a three-run ninth inning as the Oakland Athletics overcame home runs by Alfonso Soriano, Geovany Soto and Reed Johnson for a 6-5 win over the Chicago Cubs on Thursday night.
Soto led off the seventh inning with a homer, ending Oakland starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez's shutout. After a walk, Gonzalez was lifted and Soriano drove reliever Brad Ziegler's first pitch over the center field wall for a two-run shot.
Kurt Suzuki homered for the A's, who trailed 5-3 going into the ninth. Jackson doubled off Sean Marshall.
Cubs starter Ryan Dempster gave up two runs on four hits over six innings against A's regulars. Gonzalez, making his fourth spring training start, gave up five hits and struck out six against what figures to be the Cubs' everyday lineup.
Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
