The Oakland As traveled across the Bay Bridge to play the second of a two-game exhibition series against the San Francisco Giants, losing 4-2.

This short and semi-sweet summer is over, and the As are clearly shaking off some rust heading into Opening Day at home against the Los Angeles Angels at the Oakland Coliseum.

Here are some takeaways from the last exhibition game of 2020.

Mike Fiers command off, curveball solid

Fiers got the start at Oracle Park on Tuesday, allowing two home runs to Mike Yastrzemski to lead off the first inning and Alex Dickerson in the second inning on 67 pitches in 3.1 innings. He walked Pablo Sandoval before his exit in the fourth, and Sandoval scored on a sac fly off of Joakim Soria for Fiers third earned run.

The right-handed pitchers command was a tad off and he fumbled a few signs with catcher Austin Allen.

I made it tough on myself, Fiers said after his start. I was just wild. Wasnt throwing the ball exactly where I wanted to. Just a little erratic.

Got another five days before games actually start, for me at least.

Fiers first meaningful start should come on Sunday, where hell go head-to-head with Angels phenom Shohei Ohtani. Fiers missed the first few days of camp taking extra precautions due to exposure to Jess Luzardo, who tested positive for the coronavirus prior to report day.

Because Fiers threw bullpens during the hiatus, he wasnt too far behind his fellow rotation mates. Even if this start left a sour taste in his mouth, Fiers curveball looked season ready.

Remember, Fiers curveball had one of the best vertical drops in baseball in 2019. His 70.7 vertical drop is 7.7 inches over the league average which ranks eighth in all of baseball.

As offense goes cold

That the As faced 18 different pitchers in 18 innings probably didnt help ignite the offensive momentum. But, rare high points and a handful of competitive at bats aside, the As put together some rough plate appearances in these exhibition games.

The As struck out eight times on Monday, 12 times on Tuesday. Through these two games, theyve collected six hits and eight walks.

A.J. Puk and Jess Luzardo update

Puk traveled to Los Angeles to meet with Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday and received platelet-rich plasma and cortisone injections in his strained left shoulder, As manager Bob Melvin said Tuesday.

Puk is likely to be sidelined for two weeks, at least, and is resting for the next 48 hours.

The left-handed pitcher was slotted to start the season in the fifth spot of Oaklands rotation, but was placed on the 10-day IL. Right-handed pitcher Daniel Mengden will fill in for him in the rotation until Puks return from injury.

Jess Luzardo is slated to pitch in either the first or second game of the regular season, Melvin announced. Luzardo, who missed the first two weeks of camp after testing positive for coronavirus, is expected to come out of the bullpen and build his arm up to pitching three innings until he can be slotted into the rotation.

Luzardo pitched to Ramn Laureano in live batting practice prior to Mondays game against the San Francisco Giants.

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Takeaways from the As loss to the Giants: why is the offense cold? - Woodland Daily Democrat