Chavez allows 3 hits in 6 innings as A's beat Angels 4-1

MESA, Ariz. (AP) Jesse Chavez allowed three hits in six innings, Mark Canha homered and the Oakland Athletics beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-1 Wednesday to finish their first spring training at HoHoKam Park with a 14-1 record.

Billy Burns drove in a run on his major league-leading 29th hit, the most by an A's player in spring training since Tony Phillips had 30 in 1999. J.P. Sportsman also homered.

C.J. Cron had two doubles and drove in a run for the Angels.

Drew Rucinski gave up three runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings, walked one and struck out four.

Chavez, who has a 3.27 ERA, allowed an unearned run, struck out six and walked one.

STARTING TIME

Angels: Rucinski likely will start the season in the bullpen for the Angels, though he is on track to make a start on April 14, the first time a fifth starter is needed. That is the same day Garrett Richards is scheduled to begin a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment.

Athletics: While Chavez has not been told what his role will be when the season starts, he also seems resigned to being the long man out of the bullpen.

''I'm sure they had their minds made up from the beginning,'' he said. ''I'm satisfied personally and team wise. The guys around here can see it. We'll see what happens.''

HOWIE'S HOMECOMING:

INF Howie Kendrick, traded to the Dodgers during the offseason for left-hander Andrew Heaney, returns to Angels Stadium for the first time in an opposing uniform Thursday night.

Kendrick spent his first 13 years in the Angels' organization, the past nine with the big club.

''It will be a little strange,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. ''I'm so used seeing him out there at second base. We've seen him enough to know he's a good hitter. He hits the ball as hard as any right-hander with the exception of one or two.''

COMING TOGETHER

The biggest takeaway from camp, according to A's manager Bob Melvin, has been the speed of how the group has come together in the clubhouse.

''It's been a good spring all the way around with the new guys coming together,'' Melvin said. ''We've had reasonable success with guys who have not been together before.''

The A's likely will start new players at six positions, including designated hitter. The lone holdovers are right-hander Sonny Gray, catcher Stephen Vogt and outfielders Craig Gentry and Sam Fuld.

''The defense has been terrific,'' Melvin said. ''That's one area we thought we needed shoring up.''

TRAINER'S TABLE

Angels: Richards (left knee surgery) is to make two more appearances at extended spring training before he is sent on a rehab assignment. Richards is scheduled to throw in a minor league game Thursday, and then in another controlled game on April 9. ''It's good for him to catch his breath,'' Scioscia said. ''It's not necessarily needed but he can work on things in between starts.''

Athletics: OF Coco Crisp reported some soreness in his elbow, though Melvin said it is not a concern. ''He's the one guy on the team we're not worried about getting at bats,'' Melvin said. ''We'll make a determination on where we're going tomorrow.'' ... LHP Sean Doolittle is to extend to 75 feet on his throwing program Thursday. ... Josh Reddick batted three times Thursday in a minor league game, which RHP Sonny Gray started in preparation for his opening-day start.

UP NEXT:

Angels: RHP Matt Shoemaker starts Thursday night in the opener of the Freeway Series against the Dodgers in Anaheim.

Athletics: LHP Scott Kazmir starts the Bay Bridge series against the Giants in San Francisco on Thursday.