Crisp, Lowrie return to A's lineup for finale

ST. PETERSBURG -- After missing time with neck soreness, Jed Lowrie and Coco Crisp were back in the A's lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Rays.

Neither is 100 percent, but not necessarily limited. Both have more difficulty hitting left-handed than right-handed, though they were expected to do so against Rays right-hander Alex Cobb.

"They both hit in the cage today," said manager Bob Melvin, "and said they felt good to go."

Cobb has had trouble getting both hitters out in his career, with Crisp entering the day 8-for-15 with two homers off him and Lowrie 4-for-7.

Elsewhere in the lineup, Josh Donaldson got the start at designated hitter, while Alberto Callaspo started at third base, as part of manager Bob Melvin's effort to keep each of his regulars off the artificial turf at least a day during this swing through St. Petersburg and Toronto.