A's break out bats, back Manaea vs. Reds

MESA, Ariz. -- The A's jumped on the Reds for a combined 10 runs in the first two innings en route to a decisive 12-5 victory at Hohokam Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
A's second baseman Jed Lowrie led the way with three hits, while third baseman Trevor Plouffe and catcher Stephen Vogt each added two with three RBIs in support of lefty starter Sean Manaea.
"Across the board, we swung the bat real well and have the last few days," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "Whether it's during the season or Spring Training, at times you're on a bit of a roll and it just seems to get contagious."
Manaea, who struck out his first three batters, allowed a home run to left fielder Adam Duvall, but held the Reds to just two other hits in 3 2/3 innings in his third spring outing. Arismendy Alcantara, in competition for a bench job, also homered for Cincinnati, a solo shot off right-hander Bobby Wahl.
It was a rough day on the mound for Reds rotation candidate Tim Adleman, who was on the hook for five runs in 1 1/3 innings before being drilled by a comebacker, suffering a right shoulder contusion that forced his exit. Adleman allowed three hits and walked four. 

"It was very unlike him to not be able to locate any of his pitches," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "Between the fastball, the slider, the changeup and the curveball, there was just nothing that was a reliable go-to pitch when he needed a strike. He was behind a lot. Many of our guys today pitched behind and centered something hard out over the plate, and it got hit hard."
Reds right-hander Robert Stephenson, who is also fighting for a rotation spot, provided three innings, yielding one run on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
Reds Up Next: In their first night game of spring, the Reds will host the Rockies Friday at 8:05 p.m. ET at Goodyear Ballpark. José Peraza and Scott Schebler will be in the lineup while rotation candidate Cody Reed will make the start. In two previous appearances from the bullpen, Reed has allowed two earned runs over 4 1/3 innings.
A's Up Next: The A's will be under the lights Friday in a matchup with the host Royals at Surprise Stadium for their first night game of the spring season. Right-hander Jharel Cotton gets the start, his third, and the lineup will feature Mark Canha playing center field for the first time this spring. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. PT on MLB.TV.
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