Thursday, March 22, 2007
SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) -- Bobby Crosby's second at-bat showed the Oakland Athletics their shortstop is back.
He's certainly not afraid to swing away as usual now that his bad back is finally healthy again.
After Crosby grounded out on a high chopper in the first on the second pitch from Brian Bannister, the 2004 AL Rookie of the Year lined a 3-1 offering to the gap in left-center for a double Wednesday night in his first game action since Aug. 21.
That one hit was an important step forward in Crosby's progress.
"You can do it in Double-A or Triple-A. Even though it was a spring training game, it means something to me," he said. "It's been a while, it's been since August. You can play in all the minor league games you want, but it's not the same adrenaline. You're all amped up. I'm glad it's out of the way and I can have fun and play."
Mike Piazza followed Crosby's first at-bat with his second homer of the spring, a solo shot to right-center that hit off a picnic tent. Then in the third, the A's got three straight homers on five pitches: First a three-run homer from Nick Swisher, then back-to-back solo shots by Mark Ellis and Dan Johnson.
Crosby, who batted second, hit again in the inning and grounded out to third. He was done after the bottom half of the third, giving way to Donnie Murphy.
He finished 1-for-3 in his much-awaited return to the lineup after appearing in multiple minor league games and demonstrating he was ready to go. He's only been pain-free since late January.
Crosby will take Thursday off and likely play again Friday at home against the San Diego Padres.
The Royals announced that heralded prospect Alex Gordon, the second overall draft pick in 2005, will be the club's starting third baseman this season, a reward for his fine spring. He hit an RBI double in the first inning and a two-run double in the third.
It's been a long haul to getting healthy for Crosby, whose superb rookie season seems like eons ago.
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