MESA, Ariz. – Sonny Gray was hardly in top form Saturday, and A’s manager Bob Melvin didn’t need to see the box score to know.
A bit sluggish and off with his command, Gray was touched for five earned runs and eight hits over five innings in Oakland’s 7-6 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. He made an error on a bunt play, unusual for the Gold Glove-caliber pitcher. Just as uncharacteristic, he bolted without talking to the media afterward.
It turns out Gray was up in the wee hours Saturday morning because his 1-year-old son, Gunnar, was having a rough night.
“He had a long morning,” Melvin said of Gray afterward. “When he got here he was a little bit tired to begin with. … It was apparent to me early he didn’t have the life he usually has.”
Gray relayed via text message: “I felt fine, just a little tired there toward the end.”
[RELATED: Valencia helps A's overcome error filled day, top Cleveland]
The A’s ace got a head-scratching defensive effort behind him, as the A’s committed three other errors in addition to his, but mixed in a sensational double play turned by shortstop Eric Sogard and second baseman Chris Coghlan.
Sogard made a dive up the middle to snag Jake Cave’s grounder and made a glove flip to second in the same motion. Coghlan bare-handed the ball, turned and fired to first to complete the play.
“Sogey’s one of the best infielders I’ve ever seen, ever played with,” catcher Stephen Vogt said. “He continues to do things in the infield not many people can do.”
As for Gray’s day?
“One thing led to another,” Vogt said. “I thought he made good pitches today, just his command was a little off.”
HEALTH UPDATES: The A’s earned a walk-off win over Cincinnati when J.P. Sportman delivered a two-out game-tying double in the ninth and then scored the game winner on a wild pitch.
They also rang up a 9-1 split-squad victory over the Giants in Scottsdale. Lefty Felix Doubront threw four innings of one-run ball in that one, but more importantly appeared to avoid serious injury after a hard comebacker struck him in the back of his right knee. Doubront fell to the ground in pain and was attended to by head trainer Nick Paparesta. He stayed in the game and shared afterward that he initially had no feeling down his leg after the ball struck him.
“It was sore, but nothing changed in my pitches,” Doubront said.
In other news, right-hander Henderson Alvarez threw a 30-pitch bullpen session that featured his fastball and changeup. Rather than pitch in extended spring training as he comes back from shoulder surgery, Alvarez will head north with the team when camp breaks and face hitters for the first time in Oakland.
[RELATED: Butler goes yard in blowout win over Bumgarner, Giants]
NOTEWORTHY: Danny Valencia homered for the fourth time in his past five games, though from hearing him talk, you’d think the third baseman was trying to shake a slump.
He said he’s been putting in extra work with hitting coach Darren Bush, trying to stay through the ball more during his swing. He’s also been putting a lot of work in with infield coach Ron Washington, which is why Valencia was so peeved about a second-inning fielding error that led to an unearned run off Gray.
“That’s a play you have to make 100 percent of the time,” he said. “There’s no excuse for it.”
“He’s been working hard defensively,” Melvin said. “He’s on that back field with Wash all the time. I think he does a nice job defensively. But it’s good to hear he’s taking that seriously.”
ODDS AND ENDS: John Axford and Ryan Madson each threw a scoreless inning, and neither reliever has allowed a run through his first five outings. … Sam Fuld started in left field against the Reds and went 2-for-2 with an RBI. He’s hitting .417. … Billy Butler hit a two-run homer off Madison Bumgarner in Scottsdale, Butler’s first long ball of the spring. He’s hitting .333. Yonder Alonso went 2-for-3 and is batting .440. … Liam Hendriks and Ryan Dull each threw two scoreless innings against the Giants, and Patrick Schuster added a scoreless frame.
