Travis Buck’s HR sends Marmol, Cubs to loss against Oakland Athletics

Buck homer off Marmol lifts A’s over Cubs

MESA, Ariz. — Travis Buck hit a tiebreaking solo homer off Cubs closer Carlos Marmol in the ninth inning, leading an Oakland Athletics split-squad to a 5-2 victory over Chicago on Friday.

Each starter, Oakland’s Dallas Braden and Chicago’s Carlos Zambrano, pitched six strong innings. Braden gave up two runs and five hits, including Marlon Byrd’s solo homer. Zambrano gave up two runs, one earned, and three hits.

Marmol, who will enter the season as the Cubs’ closer for the first time after three years as a setup man, entered with a 2.35 ERA but served up Buck’s homer on his third pitch.

Cliff Pennington drove in a run against Marmol with a groundout and pinch-hitter Shane Peterson added an RBI single.