Coco Crisp Returns From Long DL Stint As A's Lose To Orioles

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Coco Crisp has long been considered a catalyst for the Oakland Athletics.

At this late stage of the season and in last place in the American League, he could at least provide a bright spot.

The left fielder returned from the 60-day disabled list from a neck injury that sidelined him since May 20 and provided a pair of hits in a 9-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night.

Crisp was one of six roster moves by Oakland before the game. He batted second and went 2 for 4 following a five-game rehab assignment with Class-A Stockton.

"I haven't had that many at-bats from the end of last year, no at-bats really in spring training, so when I came back the first time from elbow surgery I didn't really have the appropriate time," Crisp said. "I wanted to wait and make sure I was myself, and I was able to do that."

Baltimore rookie Tyler Wilson shut down the A's, and the Orioles hitters jumped on Jesse Chavez in a hurry.

Chavez's winless stretch reached three starts. The right-hander failed to reach five innings for the second time in three starts, knocked out after 3 2-3 with nine hits and six runs. He went a season-low three innings July 24 at San Francisco then five at Dodger Stadium last Wednesday.

"They made him work pretty hard, and when he threw the ball in the middle of the plate they hit it," manager Bob Melvin said.

Felix Doubront pitched 4 1-3 innings of relief in his Oakland debut following a trade from Toronto on Friday. With Boston (47-59) off, the A's (47-60) fell into last place in the American League.

"He got quite a few swings and misses. He's got some deception," Melvin said. "I thought as the game went along he mixed his pitches a little bit better."

Chris Davis hit a three-run shot in the first inning for his 27th homer to back Wilson's impressive spot start.

Caleb Joseph added a two-run homer in the fourth off Chavez (5-11) as Baltimore won for the eighth time in 10 games.

"That's what's frustrating is I'm physically fine, I feel strong," Chavez said. "It's just one little mechanical thing that can make it look like you're dragging."

Orioles skipper Buck Showalter earned his 1,313th career managerial victory, tying him with Hall of Famer Ned Hanlon for 31st all-time.

Adam Jones had an RBI double in the third inning on one of his three hits, while Jimmy Paredes and Joseph hit run-scoring doubles in the fifth.

Wilson (2-1) pitched 7 2-3 innings in place of Chris Tillman, who has an injured left ankle. Wilson allowed two runs and six hits, struck out three and walked two in his second major league start and sixth appearance after being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.

In terms of the options, Showalter quipped, "It was him and him."

Davis sent an 0-1 pitch over the wall in right-center with two outs in the opening half-inning and Baltimore built off that. Joseph matched his career high with three RBIs, and the Orioles are 17-2 when he drives in at least two runs.

VOGT SNAPS FUNK

A's C Stephen Vogt doubled off the wall in right in the sixth to snap an 0-for-28 funk, his second-longest hitless stretch. He began his career 0 for 32 from April 26, 2012, to June 28, 2013. He hit an RBI double in the eighth.

SMALL CROWD

The announced crowd of 11,476 was the A's smallest this year at the Coliseum.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Orioles: Tillman threw on flat ground to test the ankle and will do another workout Wednesday. If all goes well, he is likely to be slated to pitch Friday. "Still a little tender but about where we thought he'd be," Showalter said. ... Prospect RHP Parker Bridwell was placed on the DL Sunday with elbow tendinitis and will soon seek a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews in Florida.

Athletics: LHP Sean Doolittle will throw a simulated game Tuesday to test his strained shoulder. ... Switch-pitcherPat Venditte came off the 15-day DL and was optioned to Triple-A Nashville. The A's cleared roster room for Crisp by optioning OF Jake Smolinski to Nashville. Oakland also recalled RHP Arnold Leon from Nashville, optioned RHPDan Otero to Nashville and claimed INF/OF Danny Valencia off waivers from Toronto.

UP NEXT

Orioles: RHP Miguel Gonzalez (9-7) goes again for his 10th victory after a loss his last time out. He looks for his third win in four starts.

Athletics: RHP Chris Bassitt (0-4) tries for his second career win after earning his first last year with the White Sox. He's 0-4 over his last five starts.

Updated August 4, 2015