March 04--MESA, Ariz. -- Former White Sox infielder Marcus Semien introduced himself to A's fans with a bang Tuesday, hitting two homers in the A's Cactus League opener against the Giants.
Semien, who came over in the Jeff Samardzija deal, went 3-for-3 with 4 RBI in his debut, playing shortstop and batting second.
Semien's first home run, a two-run shot in the first, came on an 0-2 pitch from World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner.
"That was cool, man," Semien said. "Got behind 0-2 a couple of times, I was just able to battle and put some good swings on it. It was cool to face Bumgarner for the first time, see what his stuff looks like in person. Just to get some live at-bats felt good."
Semien added an RBI single in the second and a solo homer in the fifth.
"New team, a lot of expectations, and to have a game like that I know makes him feel pretty good," A's manager Bob Melvin said.
Semien played parts of two seasons with the Sox, hitting a combined .240 in 85 games with eight home runs and 35 RBI. The Sox sent him to the A's on Dec. 9 along with catcher Josh Phegley, pitcher Chris Bassitt and infielder Rangel Ravelo for Samardzija and pitching prospect Michael Ynoa.
"The first game you always have jitters, because no matter how many intrasquads you play, you've got another team, fans in the stands," Semien said. "It's nice to get the first one out of the way but there is still a lot to work on."
