ATHLETICS 6, SOX 5
A so-so first start for Reynaldo
Reynaldo Lopez needed 61 pitches (31 for strikes) to get through three innings of one-run ball in his first start of the spring. He threw all of his pitches for strikes, but his command wasn’t sharp and his fastball looked flat. Lopez walked three batters, struck out three and threw two wild pitches. “I liked all my pitches — they were all good,” he said through a translator. “I liked the way that I was working with my slider against lefties. What I didn’t like was I fell behind a few times and the two walks I gave up.”
Hey Nicky
Nicky Delmonico added a homer to the three doubles he’s collected this spring and went 2-for-3 to hike his spring average to .389. Luis Robert, batting leadoff, singled and walked in three plate appearances and stole his second base. Designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (stiff back) returned to the lineup, going 0-for-2.
Madrigal and Vaughn
Second baseman Nick Madrigal, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 draft, would have needed a stellar spring to even be considered for an Opening Day roster spot, but that is not developing just yet. Madrigal had a ground ball go under his glove for a single and bounced out to third with Robert on second and no outs. He did collect his fourth hit, going 1-for-3. He’s 4-for-19 this spring, all singles. Vaughn, the No. 3 overall pick in 2019, doubled into the right field corner to hike his average to .417 with a homer and two doubles.
On deck
Sox at Brewers, Maryvale, 2:05 p.m. Wednesday, 720-AM, Dylan Cease vs. Brandon Woodruff. Yasmani Grandal is expected to see first game action, in B game in Glendale. Upcoming starters: Drew Anderson vs. Rockies Thursday, Lucas Giolito at Cubs Friday.
