Missed flyballs rankle Davis
The A’s are expected to be better defensively this season. But in their opening series against the Angels, they left something to be desired on that front.
A 7-4 loss Sunday featured two costly plays involving left fielder Khris Davis, who had catchable drives by Luis Valbuena and Jefry Marte bounce off his glove for doubles in the second and fifth innings, respectively.
Both hitters eventually scored, and Valbuena’s double also drove in a run. Davis had to fight the afternoon glare but didn’t use it as an excuse.
“I definitely feel like I should have made both of those plays,” Davis said. “One was more in the sun than the other, but they were tough plays and I’ve got to make those.”
Davis was starting in left for a second consecutive day with Matt Joyce relegated to designated-hitter duties by a sore ankle. Manager Bob Melvin said Davis has handled the left-field sun “really well in the past,” and that tracking down Valbuena’s liner would have been “a really good play.”
“The second one was probably an easier play for him,” Melvin said. “Usually he makes those plays. He’s done a good job for us tracking balls in the outfield . ... He’s a better outfielder than he showed today.”
Both Davis and Joyce misplayed balls to left field earlier in the series. Center fielder Boog Powell also committed an error Sunday, allowing Kole Calhoun’s RBI single in the seventh to roll under his glove. Calhoun took second on the play, which allowed him to score on Andrelton Simmons’ ensuing single.
“We’ve had some troubles,” Melvin said. “It’s cost us the last couple of games.” Joyce update: Joyce, who rolled his right ankle running the bases Friday, appeared to be favoring the ankle on the bases Sunday. Melvin was noncommittal on when Joyce might be able to return to the field.
“Going into today, I heard either one or two more days,” Melvin said. “So we’ll see how it is tomorrow.” New arm: Before the game, Melvin gave a brief scouting report on Josh Lucas, the right-handed reliever acquired via trade Saturday from St. Louis for right-hander Casey Meisner. Melvin said Lucas will report to Triple-A Nashville.
“Kind of a sidearm guy, sinker-slider guy,” Melvin said. “Seems to be pretty tough on righties, just kind of looking at our reports. I know he’s going to Triple-A. He hasn’t thrown in a few days, so they’ll probably get a better read on him down there and then we’ll have the option to bring him up here. It increases our depth, as far as relievers go.”