GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -Eric Chavez says he's ready for opening day.
Chavez, who is rehabbing from shoulder surgery, started and played third in the Oakland Athletics' 9-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, his first back-to-back games in the field this spring.
Chavez was limited to designated hitter duties early in the spring, and then he had a setback that cost him about two weeks. On Monday, Chavez had a double and a walk in three trips to the plate. He is 3-for-17 this spring, but he's 2-for-6 since he returned to the lineup following his setback.
``Timing feels good,' Chavez said. ``I've just got to get used to getting in there every day and back-to-back days. It's always different playing in a game with the adrenaline. For some reason there are different parts that work when you have adrenaline versus when you don't.'
Chavez, 31, has been plagued by back and shoulder injuries for the past two seasons, playing a combined 113 games.
Left-fielder Manny Ramirez dropped a fly ball on the warning track, then fell down while trying to make a running catch, drawing an error, during the A's four-run second inning. ``My gold glove is in jeopardy,' Ramirez said.
Ramirez hasn't had a great deal of action in the outfield because of his last start to spring training and a hamstring injury.
``I needed the practice. I want to get some action, so I get used to those fly balls for when the season comes, Ramirez said. ``I want to get used to the rhythm of left field.'
Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers' projected No. 4 starter, gave up six earned runs and seven hits in four innings.
``My curveball was just not there today,' said Kershaw, who walked two and struck out one. ``I couldn't get the release point on it. I couldn't really throw it for a strike.'
Kershaw is set to make one more start before opening day: Against Milwaukee on Saturday at Dodger Stadium.
Brett Anderson - a potential starter - gave up three runs in the first inning, then blanked the Dodgers for the next five innings.
In the first inning, ``I think I was just trying to be too cautious and trying to paint the corners and not trust my stuff,' Anderson said. ``After the first inning I went back to trusting my stuff and throwing with conviction.'
Nomar Garciaparra went 2-for-3, including a 2-run homer, while Orlando Cabrera went 2-for-3, Chris Denorfia went 2-for-5 with 2 RBIs and Travis Buck had a 2-run single.
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