The A’s dipped into Triple-A Sacramento’s resources one final time this year when they named Tony DeFrancesco their third base coach. DeFrancesco led the River Cats to three Pacific Coast League titles in his five seasons at the helm. He has been with the A’s for 14 years. Meanwhile, A’s outfielder Chris Snelling was claimed by Tampa Bay.
Thorpe shares Sonoma lead
Jim Thorpe, putting a disappointing season behind him, fired an 8-under 64 to share the first-round lead of the Champions Tour’s Charles Schwab Cup Championship at Sonoma Golf Club. The defending champion is tied with Eduardo Romero, two strokes ahead of Mark James and three shots in front of D.A. Weibring. Three are tied at 68.