D-backs game report: Thursday, March 6

Game recap: Martin Prado continued his torrid spring with a two-run double in a four-run first inning, but Trevor Cahill gave up six runs in his three innings as Oakland regained the lead. Tony Campana, Chris Owings, Gerardo Parra and Miguel Montero also singled in the first inning off A's starter Sonny Gray. Oakland tied the game with a run off Jake Barrett in the ninth, and the A's only brought enough pitching for 10 innings.

Hitting notes: Prado has 11 hits in 18 at-bats this spring, with four doubles and five RBI. He appears to be the prime candidate to hit second in the batting order, although the only lineup certainty at this point is that Paul Goldschmidt will hit third. "He's much more comfortable," manager Kirk Gibson said of Prado, in his second spring training with the D-backs. ... Campana had two singles, two runs, a stolen base and a walk while leading off. ... Parra had two singles and an RBI and also stole a base. Campana and Parra each stole second base off new A's closer Jim Johnson, who gave up one stolen base in 70 â…“ innings with Baltimore last season. ... Jake Lamb had a bases-empty home run, and Alfredo Marte hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning.

Pitching notes: Trevor Cahill gave up eight hits, including homers to Sam Fuld and Brandon Moss, in three innings. He struck out four and did not walk a batter, but he said he left too many pitches up. "Mechanically I felt better than my last start, but the results weren't there," Cahill said. "You want the results, but I at least was able to maintain the same mechanics." ... Left-handed specialist Joe Thatcher faced two left-handed hitters and two righties. He gave up a groundout and a double off the wall to his two lefties. ... J.J. Putz gave up a double and a walk to lead off the seventh before striking out two, one on a split-finger pitch, and getting out of a bases-loaded situation with a fly out. "He made some good pitches," Gibson said.

Short hops: The tentative plan is for Cody Ross to slide for the first time this weekend, Gibson said, as he continues to progress. Ross has hit in simulated games, but he is likely to remain here when the D-backs open the season in Australia. "Australia is highly unlikely, I would say," Gibson said. "Beginning of the year, it may be even a stretch at that. But if it is, it won't be too long after that." ... Archie Bradley and Brandon McCarthy are the scheduled starters in split-squad games Saturday, Bradley against Oakland in Tempe and McCarthy against the White Sox in Glendale. It will be Bradley's second start. ... Bo Schultz is to scheduled to make his first spring start Sunday against San Diego, Gibson said, with Randall Delgado pitching in a minor-league game that day. Delgado faced the Padres in his first start, and the D-backs want to guard against overexposure.

End quote: "He didn't make good pitches when he had to. He didn't follow the game plan we were talking about." -- D-backs manager Kirk Gibson, on Trevor Cahill's outing.

Friday's game: D-backs (5-5-1) vs. Oakland (5-3-1), Phoenix Municipal Stadium, 1:05 pm

Probable pitchers: LHP Wade Miley (0-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. LHP Scott Kazmir (0-0, 0.00)