A's snap 10-game skid on Denorfia's homer in 9th

It was another rough day for an Oakland Athletics starting pitcher.

Sean Gallagher gave up six runs and nine hits in five innings Sunday, and then was summoned into a meeting with general manager Billy Beane. Gallagher emerged a few minutes later and said that Beane had just wanted to "light a little fire under my butt."

"It wasn't a good day of executing pitches for me," the right-hander added.

Oakland did get some good news on the field as Chris Denorfia hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to give the A's a 7-6 victory over the Colorado Rockies, snapping a 10-game losing streak.

Beane's message to Gallagher was perhaps a sign that the A's are growing nervous that opening day is drawing near and the team's starters have been so shaky.