Trevor Cahill A Bit Better For A's Despite Loss
PHOENIX, Ariz. (CBS / AP) ― Trevor Cahill did a bit better in his return to the mound for the Oakland A's.
Hit hard in his first spring start, the All-Star righty stuck around for 2 1-3 innings Thursday in the Athletics' 11-9 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Brewers nicked Cahill for two earned runs and four hits. His previous outing was a poor one, when he allowed four earned runs and five hits against the Cubs while getting only one out.
"That first game, I kind of rushed things because it was the first game and the adrenalin was flowing," said Cahill, 18-8 with a 2.97 ERA in 30 starts last season. "Today, I was more under control. The pace of the game was better for me."
In between starts, he said he had "worked on a little bit of everything" in regard to his delivery.
"Now I need to start getting my pitch count up and start throwing strikes," he said.
What's his biggest immediate goal?
"Throwing from the windup instead of the stretch," he said with a laugh. "I've been throwing too much out of the stretch so far with all of those guys on base."
Anderson De La Rosa hit a three-run, game-ending homer for the Brewers. The non-roster catcher connected with two outs in the ninth off Vinnie Chulk.
Casey McGehee hit his third homer in two days and Ryan Braun also connected for Milwaukee.
"They look good right now, but I want to see it consistently over a long period," first-year Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said.
Josh Willingham, Andy LaRoche and Matt Carson homered for the A's. Oakland outfielder Coco Crisp, arrested early Wednesday on suspicion of drunk driving, had two hits and drove in a run.
NOTES: Crisp is now 4 for 9 this spring, including a double and a grand slam . . . Brewers LHP Manny Parra left the game after pitching to only one batter in the fourth inning. He had tightness in the middle of his back and he will be re-evaluated on Friday, the team said . . . The fractured right pinkie of Brewers C Jonathan Lucroy is healing properly, an X-ray on Thursday revealed. He will be fitted for a splint, do some light throwing and be re-evaluated in a week . . . Carson has been impressive so far in his bid to earn a roster spot for Oakland. Along with getting two hits, he held onto the ball while slamming into the fence in right field after catching a drive by Wil Nieves in the fourth inning.
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