Spring Fever: Athletics @ Giants

Athletics 7, Giants 4

Armando Benitez, recovering from knee injuries, threw another scoreless inning with one strikeout in the San Francisco Giants' 7-4 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night. Benitez blew eight saves last season while dealing with arthritis in his knees and the wrath of fans in the Bay area.

The Giants tried to get rid of him this offseason, but his $7.6 million salary and bad knees made it impossible. If he shapes up, he could either close or be used for trade bait.

Speaking of knees, Oakland outfielder Milton Bradley messed up his right one while taking his base on a wild pitch. With outfielders Mark Kotsay and Bobby Kielty already on the DL, this is not something the A's can afford. Bradley remained in the game and scored on a double, but came out in the bottom half of the inning with some soreness in the knee.

Giants' starter Noah Lowry struggled with his control and mechanics, walking five batters in four innings and allowing three runs and three hits while striking out five.

Dan Haren struggled as well, allowing three runs, four hits and two walks in 3.1 innings with two wild pitches.

[MLB] | [MiLB]