PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — James Shields struck out four in two scoreless innings for a San Diego Padres split squad in a 6-5 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Sunday.
Shields, who allowed a major league-high 33 homers last season, gave up singles to Billy Burns and Andrew Lambo while throwing 24 of 33 pitches for strikes. He got Chris Coghlan to chase a low knuckle-curve and Khris Davis to go after a dipping changeup for strikeouts.
“I feel really good with everything,” Shields said.
Burns later doubled and Lambo hit a two-run homer off Luis Perdomo in the fourth. Lambo, claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh in November, is 6 for 12 this spring.
Oakland rotation candidate Chris Bassitt, working on a new delivery after he said he was tipping pitches last year, allowed a single to Matt Kemp and a walk in two scoreless innings.
A’s 20-year-old prospect Franklin Barreto hit his second home run in five spring at-bats.
STARTING TIME
Athletics: Bassitt said copying ace Sonny Gray’s stretch delivery makes him feel more under control.
“I tried it in the very last start (last season) in Seattle and everyone was like, ‘You’re not really tipping anymore,’” Bassitt said. “So I said we’ll run with it.”
Padres: The 34-year-old Shields’ streak of nine consecutive 200-inning seasons is the longest in the majors.
“My workout regimen and my routine definitely dictates how my body feels,” Shields said, “and it feels great right now.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Athletics: RHP Jarrod Parker (elbow) had no issues following a 40-pitch bullpen session and aims to get into a game before spring training ends. . RHP Henderson Alvarez (shoulder surgery) will throw a bullpen session this week.
Padres: OF Travis Jankowski took a line drive on the ear flap in the morning workout. Manager Andy Green said he didn’t sustain a concussion. . OF Alex Dickerson tweaked a hamstring in the workout. . Reliever Matt Thornton, signed on Thursday, has checked out well physically and threw a live batting practice.
CATCHING SHIELDS
Padres catcher Derek Norris, playing against the team that traded him after his All-Star 2014 season, threw out Burns stealing second from his knees in the first.
Shields rarely shook off Norris. The two have nearby lockers and a strong relationship now after Norris struggled catching Shields early last season.
“James has a certain way he likes to throw and sometimes it’s tough to adapt to that because we’re taught to go over these scouting reports,” Norris said. “He likes to throw what he likes to throw, and he won’t just throw it just because you put it down.”
E BEFORE A’S
It was a rough day in the field for Oakland. Burns sailed a throw from center field over third base, Coghlan dropped a fly ball in right and third baseman Renato Nunez made two throwing errors to first base.
CLEAN-LIVING
Green was 30 and barely holding on as a player when Cincinnati sent him to Triple-A Louisville in 2008.
“I was an old salty guy at that time and asked for the cleanest-living roommate they could find,” Green said.
They came up with Adam Rosales. Fast forward eight years and Green is managing the 32-year-old Rosales, who’s trying to stick with the Padres as a utility infielder.
Rosales started at shortstop and doubled off lefty Marc Rzepczynski in the third.
“He’s a good kid who works extremely hard,” Green said.
UP NEXT
Athletics: RHP Jesse Hahn starts Monday against Kansas City.
Padres: RHP Andrew Cashner starts Monday against Milwaukee.
