D-Backs pound former teammate

By ANDREW BAGNATO

AP Sports Writer

TUCSON, Ariz. " Edgar Gonzalez's former teammates didn't help him in his bid to join the Oakland Athletics' rotation.

The Diamondbacks touched Gonzalez for two runs in three innings in a 9-7 victory over the Athletics on Sunday.

It was Gonzalez's first appearance against the team he pitched for from 2003-08. He left Arizona last winter to sign a minor league contract with the Athletics, who offered a shot at the No. 5 spot in their rotation.

"It was weird, you know, but it was good," Gonzalez, a 26-year-old right-hander from Mexico. "All I was doing was going pitch by pitch and everything was where I wanted. They got a couple of hits but that's baseball."

Gonzalez gave up four hits and struck out four. He settled down after giving up an RBI double to Stephen Drew and a run-scoring single to Chad Tracy in the first inning.

Gonzalez faced righty Yusmeiro Petit, a candidate to succeed him as the Diamondbacks' utility arm.

"There was some irony to that start today with both guys," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. "If anybody's been able to replicate what Edgar's done, it's Yusmeiro. And it's not easy to do."

Melvin shouted a greeting to Gonzalez when the Athletics walked onto the field for batting practice at Tucson Electric Park.

Gonzalez went 1-3 with a 6.00 ERA with the Diamondbacks before a strained right arm ended his season on June 27. He worked in a variety of roles for Arizona in recent seasons, including spot starter and mop-up man.

"He was an important guy for our staff, in a difficult role," Melvin said. "I haven't had too many guys who were able to do it in the fashion he did, and he didn't complain about it."

Gonzalez has a career record of 14-21 with a 5.97 ERA. That includes an 0-9 record in 2004 on a Diamondbacks team that lost 111 games.

Gonzalez said he enjoyed his time in the desert but hopes for a regular role with the A's.

"I was starting, in relief, in and out of the bullpen," he said. "It was OK but it was never like here, where I am competing for the fifth spot. I like that better when I can get regular work."

Petit also is hoping to get regular work. He went 3-5 with a 4.31 ERA in 19 games, including eight starts, with the Diamondbacks last year.

Making his first spring appearance, Petit pitched two shutout innings but allowed two hits and walked two.

"Early on, he really had trouble getting the ball down, and typically that's when he has his share of troubles," Melvin said. "End result is what you're looking for, and he didn't give anything up."

Notes: Brandon Webb reported no problems with his right forearm after a bullpen session on Sunday morning, and Arizona's ace said he'll be ready to make his first spring start on Wednesday against Mexico in Tucson. Webb was scratched from his start last week with a sore forearm. "Today was pretty encouraging," Webb said. "I felt real good about it, so ready to go." ... Oakland 3B Eric Chavez is tentatively scheduled to play in the field for the first time when the A's visit the Chicago Cubs in Mesa on Tuesday, pending a throwing session Sunday in Phoenix. ... The A's have no date for RHP Justin Duchscherer to appear in a spring game. Duchscherer, who has a sore elbow, has been alternating between long toss and throwing off the mound. He was scheduled to throw 40 pitches off the mound on Sunday. ... Oakland CF Ryan Sweeney hit his first homer. ... Oakland 1B Jason Giambi, back with the Athletics after seven seasons with the New York Yankees, went 0-for-3. He's 1-for-8 this spring. "I'm feeling great," Giambi said. "I'm taking at-bats and trying to go hard."