Quintana gives up nine runs; Sox hit four homers

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The A's hammered Jose Quintana for nine runs in the first inning before the White Sox left-hander retired a batter, and Oakland romped to a 16-6 win at Camelback Ranch on Tuesday afternoon.

It was certainly ample run support for Oakland starter Jesse Chavez, who has been all but assured a spot in the starting rotation because of injuries to A.J. Griffin and Jarrod Parker.

Chavez entered the day without having allowed a run in 12 2/3 innings of Cactus League play, though his streak ended in the second inning on a Conor Gillaspie solo homer. Tyler Flowers also hit a solo shot in the third, and Chavez left after giving up just those two in 4 2/3 innings. He allowed six hits, walked two and struck out two.

But the story early was Quintana's immense struggles in the first inning. He surrendered a double and single to Coco Crisp and Nick Punto, respectively, to begin the game, before Jed Lowrie homered to left. After two straight walks, Michael Taylor doubled, Daric Barton and Jake Elmore singled and Sam Fuld tripled.

"A bad day for me," said Quintana, who threw a bullpen session to hit his pitch count after he was removed from the game. "First time in my career I got nobody out in the lineup. A couple of mistakes. I need to continue with my preparation, and I'll be ready for the season."

After Quintana got the hook, Crisp singled off Deunte Heath for his second hit of the inning and officially closed the book on the Chicago lefty's day: zero outs, seven hits, nine earned runs, two walks and a home run. The home crowd let out a sarcastic cheer when Punto struck out as the 11th batter and first out of the game.

Fifteen A's batters made plate appearances in the first alone, and Quintana's ERA skyrocketed from 16.50 to 30.00. The White Sox walked seven batters in the game.

"Velocity's there. Really in the middle of the plate, I think it's where he was today," manager Robin Ventura said. "His cutter wasn't as sharp as where it was in the past. That could be from getting on top of it and not getting much slide across the plate. But he was in the middle today ... and you can't be in there in a big league game."

Jordan Danks hit the White Sox's third homer of the day -- another solo shot -- in the seventh, and their fourth home run -- a two-run shot -- in the ninth.

Up next: The White Sox will stick around Camelback Ranch on Wednesday as the Angels come to town for a 3:05 p.m. CT first pitch. Erik Johnson will get the start against the Angels' Tyler Skaggs. Dylan Axelrod, Jake Petricka, Mitchell Boggs, Donnie Veal and Zach Putnam are also scheduled to pitch. The game will be broadcast live on CSN Chicago and MLB Network. Tune in live on MLB.TV.