OAKLAND –- Sonny Gray won trash-talking rights over good buddy Scott Kazmir.
The A’s ace delivered seven scoreless innings and outdueled his former teammate in Oakland’s 4-0 victory over the Astros on Tuesday night.
It was Kazmir’s first time facing the A’s since they dealt him to Houston on July 23 for two minor leaguers. That was an emotional day in the A’s clubhouse, as Kazmir was a beloved teammate and was scheduled to take the mound the very day he was dealt.
He served as a mentor of sorts to Gray during his two years in an Oakland uniform, and the two were trading good-natured swipes via text leading up to Tuesday’s matchup.