The Oakland Athletics offseason DH addition, Hideki Matsui, ended his early eight at bat hitless streak with a bloop single in today’s 6-3 A’s loss to the Mariners. The most notable Athletics performance of the day came courtesy of Andy LaRoch’e two-run home run in the ninth inning off Jose Flores. It was LaRoche’s second home run of the spring.
LaRoche was a non-roster invitee and is looking to put some pressure on the A’s to consider him for the third base job. Kevin Kouzmanoff is the likely starter but the A’s are not exactly so invested that LaRoche couldn’t force their hand. LaRoche was a hot prospect at one point but has never lived up to expectations.
Guillermo Moscoso made the start for the A’s and went three innings, giving up two runs on two hits. Relievers Joey Devine and Fautino De Los Santos both struggled today. Devine gave up two runs in 1/3 of an inning courtesy of four walks. De Los Santos gave up two runs on two hits and a walk in one inning of relief.