MESA, Ariz. (AP) – Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella is concerned about some of his hitters.

Three Oakland pitchers limited Chicago to seven hits, and the Athletics scored five runs against the Cubs’ bullpen in the sixth and seventh innings Tuesday to rally for a 6-4 victory.

“I’m getting a little concerned about a couple of our guys,” Piniella said. “Look, we don’t have much longer. I’m going to have to start getting them in there a little more often. Forget these days off.”

Piniella had been using his regulars for two days in a row and then giving them a day off. The Cubs also have sustained a rash of injuries this spring.

Bobby Crosby hit a three-run homer against left-handed reliever Scott Eyre in the sixth to put the A’s up 4-2. They scored twice against Bob Howry in the eighth.

The victory improved Oakland’s record to 9-5 in the Cactus League while Chicago dropped to 5-9.

The A’s opened the scoring in the second when Jack Cust led off with a home run to right-center against ace Carlos Zambrano. Zambrano worked four innings, giving up four hits and one run. He struck out three and did not walk a batter. The run was the first Zambrano has given up this spring in three starts.

The Cubs went ahead 2-1 in the fifth against reliever Huston Street. Geovany Soto walked with two outs and scored on Sam Fuld’s triple past right fielder Travis Buck.

Casey McGehee followed with an RBI single.

Crosby’s homer in the sixth came after Eyre committed an error when he was late covering first base on a grounder by Daric Barton. Eyre walked Cust before Crosby homered to left.

Cust had two hits for Oakland as did Ryan Sweeney and Carlos Gonzalez.

A’s starter Greg Smith worked four scoreless innings, giving up two hits. He walked one and struck out two.

Street got the win, with Gio Gonzalez earning a save.

Notes: The Cubs optioned RHP Jeff Samardzija, the former Notre Dame football star, to Double-A Tennessee and released reliever Shingo Takatsu. … Cubs CF Felix Pie returned to camp, one day after undergoing an outpatient procedure for a minor groin injury. The Cubs said they expect Pie to be able to play by Friday or Saturday.

AP-ES-03-11-08 2012EDT