Norris Scores in Passed Ball in A's Win Over Cubs

Oakland 1, Chicago 0

Derek Norris scored on a passed ball with two outs in the seventh inning and the Oakland Athletics beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Thursday.

Dan Straily (5-2) gave up a hit over seven innings after being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento earlier in the day. He made the start to allow a sore Jarrod Parker to get two extra days of rest. Straily walked three and struck out six.

Norris walked with two outs and went to third on Seth Smith's single. Matt Guerrier (2-4), making his first appearance with the Cubs since being acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers, threw a strike on the outside part of the plate. Pinch hitter Eric Sogard swung at the pitch and Cubs catcher Wellington Castillo had the ball glance off his mitt, allowing Norris to score the unearned run.

Cubs' starter Travis Wood allowed three hits over six innings. He walked one and struck five in recording his third consecutive no-decision. Alfonso Soriano got Chicago's lone hit off Straily.

Wood extend his winless stretch to six starts despite an ERA of 2.58 over that span.

Ryan Cook pitched the eighth and Grant Balfour recorded the final three outs for his 21st save in as many chances.

In the fourth, Yoenis Cespedes threw out Starlin Castro trying to score from second on Soriano's single to left field. Soriano was later thrown out by Norris attempting to steal second, ending the inning.

Castro walked to open the inning and advanced when Nate Schierholtz grounded out.

The A's also had a potential run thrown out on the bases. Against Matt Guerrier, Chris Young singled with one out in the seventh but was caught stealing by Castillo. Norris drew a walk and went to third on Seth Smith's single prior to the passed ball.

Pedro Stroup also made his Cubs debut with a scoreless ninth as the Cubs matched their franchise record for players used before the All-Star break with 41. The Cubs also extended their franchise record by using 23 pitchers before the break.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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