Oakland: Sean Gallagher

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Sean Gallagher watch is underway.

On Thursday against the Angels, the 23-year old right-hander allowed three hits in two scoreless innings in a 3-1 loss at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Gallagher struck out two hitters and issued one walk in his first game appearance of Spring Training.

"I like the way he pounded the zone," Oakland manager Bob Geren said. "I like the way he kept throwing strikes. It was impressive. I like the way he worked and threw the ball around with good location."

Acquired from the Cubs last season as part of the Rich Harden deal, Gallagher's spot in the rotation is to be determined. He went 2-3 with a 5.88 ERA for the A's last season. Overall, he is 5-7 with a 5.54 ERA in 31 career games, 21 starts.

"It was good to get the adrenaline going and get back on the mound again, facing hitters," he said.

Gallagher retired Angels center fielder Reggie Willits on a fly ball to start the bottom of the first and struck out Bobby Abreu on 11 pitches for the second out of the inning. Angels first baseman Kendry Morales hit a single, and third baseman Brandon Wood followed with a double, but Gallagher recovered to retire Jeff Mathis on a ground ball.

In the second, Gallagher walked Angels right fielder Chris Pettit to lead off the frame, but was helped when the next hitter, shortstop Hainley Statia, hit into a double play. Kevin Ramos followed with a triple. Gallagher responded by striking out Flint Wipke to end the inning.

"The first time out, it's spring, you want to go out and have really quick 1-2-3 innings," Gallagher said. "But what it came down to is that at the times I really needed to make a pitch, I was able to, and I got out of situations that I put myself in."

Michael Wuertz replaced Gallagher to start the third.

"I wouldn't say I got lackadaisical, but I had a lapse in memory," Gallagher said. "You know, it's the things you look to get out of the way now."

Gallagher said he threw his fastball, changeup and curveball during the 30-pitch outing. He is staying away from his slider for now.

"It's a pitch I can pick up pretty quick," he said. "Right now, I'd rather just focus on fastball command, the changeup and locating that, and getting my curveball back to what I can do with it."