Crisp exits Rays opener early with neck soreness

ST. PETERSBURG -- The A's Coco Crisp exited Tuesday's win in St. Petersburg in the bottom of the sixth inning with neck soreness.

It's the same issue that recently sidelined the outfielder for a week, after he crashed into the wall in Oakland while making a tremendous catch. He was 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two RBIs in advance of his exit.

Crisp is likely to be held out of Wednesday's lineup, which might've been the case, anyway, even if he didn't depart Tuesday's game early, said manager Bob Melvin.

Melvin is hoping to rest several of his regulars during this six-game stretch on an artificial playing surface.