Wire Giants/A's

Coco Crisp went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, three RBI and two runs scored as the Oakland Athletics took an 8-3 win over the Houston Astros to open a three-game series.

Angel Pagan's fourth-inning, bases-loaded walk was the lone score, and Barry Zito tossed seven scoreless innings, as the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants topped St. Louis, 1-0, in the opener of a three-game weekend set.

The Oakland Athletics acquired catcher Stephen Vogt from the Tampa Bay Rays for a player to be named later or cash considerations on Friday.

The San Francisco Giants will raise their 2012 World Series championship banner on Friday when they kick off a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals at AT&T Park.

Having plated 14 runs over their past two days, the Oakland Athletics hope to stay hot when they visit Minute Maid Park on Friday to open a three-game series against new American League West foe Houston.

Jed Lowrie provided the Oakland Athletics with the jolt they needed after struggling over the first two games.

The Houston Astros acquired left-handed pitcher Travis Blackley from the Oakland Athletics Thursday in exchange for minor league outfielder Jake Goebbert.

Pablo Sandoval stroked a two-run homer and the San Francisco Giants took a 5-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Wednesday's rubber match of a three-game set.

The Oakland Athletics were the surprise of the baseball world a year ago. Lefty Tommy Milone was a big reason why. Milone starts his 2013 campaign on Wednesday when the A's continue their four-game series with the Seattle Mariners at O.co Coliseum.

Two pitchers attempt to put a miserable 2012 season behind them on Wednesday when San Francisco's Tim Lincecum squares off against Josh Beckett of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the rubber match of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium.

Clayton Kershaw tossed a masterpiece on Opening Day, but the San Francisco Giants have a fine young southpaw of their own.

Michael Morse crushed his first two home runs of the season while Kyle Seager went 3-for-3 with two runs scored as the Seattle Mariners remained perfect on the year with a 7-1 win over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night.

Felix Hernandez, who signed a big contract in the offseason, tossed 7 2/3 scoreless innings to help the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics, 2-0, in the season opener for both teams on Monday.

Clayton Kershaw spun a four-hit shutout and clubbed a go-ahead solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 4-0 victory over the defending champion San Francisco Giants in the season-opener for both teams at Dodger Stadium.

The Oakland Athletics were the surprise of the American League a season ago. The Seattle Mariners are hoping to find themselves in a similar situation this year, as the AL West foes begin their 2013 seasons on Monday at O.co Coliseum.

The San Francisco Giants begin defense of their World Series title on Monday when they kick off their 2013 season against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

Oakland starter Dan Straily tossed five innings of shutout ball and the Athletics earned a 4-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants in the teams' final spring training tune-up before Opening Day.

Barry Zito pitched into the sixth inning as the San Francisco Giants edged the Oakland Athletics, 3-1, in spring training.

The San Francisco Giants have locked up one of their cornerstone players.

The Oakland Athletics will be without relief pitcher Fernando Rodriguez for the entire 2013 season after the right-hander underwent successful Tommy John surgery on Thursday.

Just days before the San Francisco Giants begin their World Series title defense, team president Larry Baer has rewarded general manager Brian Sabean and club skipper Bruce Bochy with contract extensions.

Nate Freiman and Jeremy Barfield each went 2- for-3 and combined for three RBI in the Oakland Athletics' 6-5 spring-training win over the Colorado Rockies.

Nick Noonan finished 3-for-4 with a double, triple, two RBI and two runs scored as San Francisco downed Arizona, 8-6, in Cactus League action.

Hunter Pence had a two-run double and Brandon Belt went 3-for-4 with an RBI single as the San Francisco Giants posted a 4-2 victory over the San Diego Padres in a Cactus League clash.

A's general manager Billy Beane was once again responsible for turning his expensive assets into valuable young players, just like he did in trades of Mark Mulder and Dan Haren in the past.

Daric Barton drove in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning, and the Oakland Athletics held on for a 7-6 spring training win over the Cleveland Indians.

Outfielder Hunter Pence was acquired from Philadelphia in a late-season deal and will begin his first full season with San Francisco. Pence proved to be a source of inspiration to his teammates despite not producing eye-popping numbers in the playoffs and is excited to try and make it all work again.

The New York Yankees have claimed pitcher Dan Otero off waivers from the San Francisco Giants.

Mesa, AZ (Sports Network) -Angel Pagan and Joaquin Arias drove in two runs apiece to lead the San Francisco Giants to a 9-3 win over the Chicago Cubs on Monday.

Chris Young hit a grand slam as the Oakland Athletics defeated the Milwaukee Brewers, 9-7, in spring training play.

Jed Lowrie and Derek Norris belted two-run homers off Josh Beckett in Oakland's 7-4 spring training win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Buster Posey drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning to lift the San Francisco Giants to a 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Sunday.

Yoenis Cespedes and Adam Rosales each clubbed two-run homers as the Oakland Athletics downed the San Francisco Giants, 12-5, on Saturday.