Mar 20, 2008

Guerrero's slam spoils A's final day in the desert

ASSOCIATED PRESS

PHOENIX - Rich Harden was happy with his last spring start, while all around him the A's clubhouse was a whirlwind of activity with players and support staff preparing for a trip to Japan.

Harden pitched six strong innings for the A's split squad in a 6-1 loss to the Angels on Wednesday, allowing two runs and eight hits with a walk and four strikeouts. After the game, the Athletics were set to fly to Tokyo, where the team will play exhibitions games this weekend against Japanese teams and open the season with two games against the Red Sox on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The trip was in doubt for a few hours before the game as the Red Sox boycotted the beginning of their game and the A's would have done the same had it not been resolved.

"It was a little strange early," Harden said. "That stuff happens and we talked about it."

"Obviously there was a lot of confusion this morning," A's pitcher and player rep Huston Street said. "It's unfortunate, but the right thing will be done from now on."

Harden will pitch the second game against Boston.

"I felt good, I got my work in and now I'm looking forward to getting the season going," Harden said. "I wanted to go out with the same intensity I'd have in the regular season. I let a few more go."

Vladimir Guerrero hit a grand slam in the seventh off Keith Foulke, and Gary Matthews went 4-for-4 with an RBI for the Angels.

Guerrero, a noted bad-ball hitter, swung at a pitch that was well outside of the strike zone for his third home run of the spring. He also took over the team lead with 13 RBIs.

"He's something else," Angels' manager Mike Scioscia said. "It was out there."

Angels starter Ervin Santana had his best effort of the spring, throwing six shutout innings and allowing one hit - a leadoff triple by catcher Rob Bowen in the third. He walked three and struck out four.

"He's brought that same stuff into games," Scioscia said. "He had his best results today. It's good to see him go deep in the game. He probably had more left."

Santana lowered his spring ERA to 5.49 from 7.90 with the outing.

"Experience is a good teacher after his struggles last year," Scioscia said. "He understands his mechanics better. He got into some bad habits last year and he's cleaned those up. Hopefully he can be consistent."

"We had a great spring and we're fired up to go," A's manager Bob Geren said. "We're looking forward to opening the season against the defending world champions."

RHP Joey Devine was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento as the A's got down to 35 players, including their 30-man travel roster for Japan. 3B Eric Chavez, RHP Chad Gaudin, RHP Kiko Calero, OF Carlos Gonzalez and OF Todd Linden will remain in Phoenix. All but Linden are rehabbing.