Skaggs, Diamondbacks falter in loss to the A’s

Despite scoring two early runs and seeing opposing pitcher Brett Anderson make a first-inning exit after straining his back, Tyler Skaggs and the Diamondbacks fell to the A’s 7-5 on Sunday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

“I don’t think we played a very clean game today, overall,” D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said after the game.

In his second start of the spring, Skaggs allowed four hits and four runs while walking two in four innings pitched. The performance marked his third Cactus League appearance, and the young left-hander now has a 12.79 ERA to go along with an 0-2 record.

A.J. Pollock and Paul Goldschmidt provided a good share of the D-backs’ early offense. Pollock went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a first-inning RBI, while Goldschmidt — the team’s starting DH for the contest — went 2-for-3 and scored a run.

Chris Owings added a long two-run home run off of A’s reliever Hideki Okajima in the D-backs’ ninth, scoring outfielder Ollie Linton.

D-backs pitchers, meanwhile, combined to strikeout just one batter on the day, walking five and allowing seven hits.

He Said It:

“Numbers mean nothing in spring training. It’s all about how you feel and what the coaches see. Basically, Spring Training’s a confidence builder and today just added to confidence that I have out there.” — Tyler Skaggs

Up Next:

Trevor Cahill and the Diamondbacks (6-8) are scheduled to face the Cubs at Salt River Fields on Monday. Josh Collmenter, David Holmberg and Eric Smith are each scheduled to make pitching appearances, while Jeff Samardzija will take the mound for the Cubs. First pitch is at 1:10 p.m. MDT.