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Paul Blackburn kicks off A’s rotation battle in rain-shortened spring opener

MESA, Ariz. — Leaning back on his leather chair inside his office at Hohokam Stadium, A’s manager Bob Melvin looked each reporter in the eye and grinned.

“Well, we have our feet wet now.”

Literally and figuratively.

Battling the elements on a cold and rainy day, the A’s kicked off their Cactus League season Thursday afternoon. The game only lasted an inning and a half. The umpires convened and decided to call off the game just as Matt Olson was digging into the batter’s box to face Mariners pitcher Marco Gonzalez to lead off the bottom of the second inning with the A’s down 5-0.