Fuld homers and triples to lead Athletics past Reds, 9-4

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GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Sam Fuld hit a three-run homer off Jon Moscot and had an RBI triple to help the Oakland Athletics to beat the Cincinnati Reds 9-4 on Friday.

Jed Lowrie, Max Muncy and Mark Canha had doubles for the Athletics.

“Fuld’s fighting for a position,” Athletics manager Bob Melvin said. “He’s a fighter. He’s been in this position many times before. Fuld just goes out there and plays. He’s a pro. When the situation looks clogged and cloudy, you just go out and do the best you can.”

Jay Bruce hit an RBI single in the Reds’ three-run fourth against Mark Rzepczynski, who the Athletics obtained in a trade with San Diego. Joey Votto hit a single to reach base for the 10th time in 19 plate appearances.

Fuld saved a run when a bloop fly ball fell in shallow right field. Fuld’s barehanded throw nipped Votto at second. Jordan Pacheco followed with his second home run of the spring.

Cincinnati’s Zack Cozart had a single in two at-bats in his first game this spring. Cozart had knee surgery in June. Cozart injured his knee by extending his leg to reach for first base in a game with Philadelphia. He slipped trying to get to a ground single by Renato Nunez to raise eyebrows in the Reds’ dugout.

“We had a moment of pause when he slipped on the backhand,” Reds’ manager Bryan Price said. “It wasn’t a concern to him but it was to us.”

Cozart was nervous during his first at bat.

“My first at-bat I couldn’t calm it down,” Cozart said. “I did things I hadn’t done in nine months, I slipped and fell, got up. I went back on a fly ball. I ran bases, touched the base and hit and ran out of the box. All the things that are tough to emulate. It’s been so long, nine months and a day. On the slip, I was just upset that I didn’t get to the ball. Mentally, I feel good and I’m glad it’s over.”

Reds outfielder Juan Duran, suspended by Major League Baseball for a positive test for a prohibited substance, hit his second homer.

STARTING TIME

Athletics: Chris Bassitt pitched three scoreless innings with a hit, a walk and three strikeouts. .

“I am just continuing the work I’ve put in to change my mechanics a little bit,” Bassitt said. “I am a lot more comfortable than I’ve ever been. I’m excited about it.”

Reds: Jon Moscot, coming off surgery to his non-throwing shoulder, allowed four runs in 3 2/3 innings on six hits. He walked one and struck out two.

“I fell behind a little bit,” Moscot said. “They hit some decent pitches in the zone. I was more aggressive at the end. It had been a long time since I’d been on the mound. I’m getting back into the groove of things.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Athletics: An MRI revealed that RHP Jarrod Parker suffered a fracture a medial epicondyle in his right elbow. Parker has had surgery on the elbow. The team will give him the weekend off then regroup on Monday to determine the course of action.

Reds: OF Billy Hamilton (shoulder) hit on the field and threw on Thursday. “Billy has to throw with no effort before we put him in games,” Price said. C Devin Mesoraco (hip) is completing baseball activity tests. He is expected to get into game in a week. OF Jesse Winker collided with Jake Cave in Thursday’s game. He is day-to-day with a strained hip flexor.

UP NEXT

Athletics: RHP Kendall Graveman will start for the Athletics at Texas.

Reds: LHP Cody Reed is scheduled to start at home against Seattle.

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