Four-game win streak snapped in extra innings
Team mulls decision to place slugger Davis on disabled list
OAKLAND >> The A’s had their four-game victory streak snapped when Seattle’s Jean Segura beat the relay throw to the plate, scoring the game-winning run on Guillermo Heredia’s double to right-center field in the 10th inning on Tuesday night.
Even after the 3-2 loss, there was no decision on the night’s overriding topic: An afternoon MRI on slugger Khris Davis’ ailing right groin revealed a Grade 1 sprain, a mild version of the injury that left manager Bob Melvin undecided on how to proceed.
“We’ll make a decision (Wednesday),” Melvin said about whether Davis will land on the disabled list after suffering the injury Sunday on a check swing in Toronto.
Davis, who leads the A’s with 13 home runs, clubbed more than 40 each of the two previous years.
“Losing Khris Davis would be a tough one for us,” Melvin said before the game. “He’s as prolific a power hitter as there is in baseball. Any team, that one would hurt.”
On the heels of a 7-3 trip through New York, Boston and Toronto, the A’s could not muster enough offense to support right-hander Trevor Cahill, who pitched shutout ball through six innings before allowing a game-tying two-run homer to Mike Zunino.
Cahill was more upset with the previous at-bat, against Daniel Vogelbach. “The biggest thing was the walk. If anything, you don’t want to give up a free pass and put the tying run up there,” Cahill said.
Zunino then worked Cahill to a full court before ripping a homer to left.
Regardless, it was a strong
outing by Cahill, 30, who was out of work in the offseason until signing a freeagent contract with the A’s. Seven years removed from his first three-year stint with the A’s, during which he won 40 games, Cahill spent portions of 2017 with San Diego and Kansas City before being released in November.
The A’s signed him March 19, and Tuesday he matched his longest outing of the season while dropping his earned run average dropped to 2.75.
“I thought he was great,” Melvin said.
Marcus Semien barely missed tying the score with two out in the bottom of the 10th, his line drive to left just outside the foul pole. Edwin Diaz struck him out on the next pitch to end the game.
• Starters Brett Anderson (right shoulder strained) and Andrew Triggs (triceps strain/nerve irritation) also both were to be evaluated by Dr. Workman after making early exits from consecutive games last week against the Blue Jays.
Elsewhere on the injury front, trainer Nick Paparesta said right-hander Paul Blackburn (strained right forearm) threw 45 pitches in a game setting Monday in Arizona and will do so again Saturday.
By next week, the A’s hope to know when he can make a rehab assignment.
Right-hander Liam Hendriks (strained right groin) threw off the mound Tuesday and is expected to face hitters Friday in Arizona before the club schedules a rehab assignment.
Outfielder Boog Powell (strained right knee) is hitting off the tee and running, but is probably two weeks away from preparing to see action in a game.
• Melvin announced that right-hander Daniel Gossett (0-1, 11.05 ERA) will start Wednesday. Gossett hasn’t pitched for the A’s since April 6, but was 4-0 with a 1.63 ERA in seven games for Triple-A Nashville.
• The A’s reinstated catcher Bruce Maxwell from the restricted list and optioned catcher Josh Phegley to Triple-A Nashville. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the club designated catcher Dustin Garneau for assignment.