After two 7-1 victories to start the week, the past few days have had a little something for everyone … meltdowns by the defense, the offense, Jonathan Broxton and Chad Billingsley. Health concerns. Mental mistakes. A feeding frenzy for the pessimistic (or realistic, if you wish).

I believe we call these teaching opportunities for the boys in blue.

Athletics 9, Dodgers 2

Highlights:

  • Aaron Miles and Matt Kemp continued their battle for the team home run lead, each hitting their second of the spring to tie Rod Barajas and Jerry Sands.
  • Blake Hawksworth pitched a near-fllawless 1 2/3 relief innings, though he hit one batter with a pitch.
  • Kenley Jansen pitched a perfect sixth inning with a strikeout.
  • Tony Gwynn Jr. reached base twice and has a .360 spring on-base percentage.

Lowlights:

  • Billingsley had only allowed seven baserunners in 6 2/3 innings in March before an all-over-the-place performance today: four hits, four walks, four runs allowed in 3 1/3 innings.
  • Jay Gibbons went 0 for 3 to fall to 1 for 17.
  • Infielders Ivan DeJesus Jr., Justin Sellers and Christian Lara made errors.
  • Javy Guerra allowed four runs (two earned) and walked three in two-thirds of an inning.

Sidelights:

  • Kirk Gibson’s wife left Game 1 of the 1988 World Series early. Eric Stephen passes along the story at SB Nation.
  • Juan Castro and his wife Yadira became parents for the second time Thursday night.
  • Pitcher Luis Vasquez was optioned to the minors.
  • Former Dodger Andy LaRoche, playing shortstop today for Oakland, drove in two runs.
  • All members of Takashi Saito’s family in Japan are now accounted for, writes Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.