PEORIA, Ariz. -- James Shields struck out four in two scoreless innings for a San Diego Padres split squad in a 6-5 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Sunday.
Shields, who allowed a major league-high 33 homers last season, gave up singles to Billy Burns and Andrew Lambo while throwing 24 of 33 pitches for strikes. He got Chris Coghlan to chase a low knuckle-curve and Khris Davis to go after a dipping changeup for strikeouts.
"I feel really good with everything," Shields said.
Burns later doubled and Lambo hit a two-run homer off Luis Perdomo in the fourth.