Brandon McCarthy made what could be his final rehab start for the Sacramento River Cats Saturday, and it was a good one.
McCarthy used 73 pitches over six shutout innings, allowing just two hits, issuing two walks and striking out nine Memphis Redbirds.
It was was McCarthy's second second with Sacramento after being sent to the minors for rehabilitation on July 30. In his first, he lasted just 3 23 innings, allowing six earned runs on seven hits.
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When McCarthy's throwing shoulder forced him to the disabled list on June 24, it was rookie A.J. Griffin who took his place in the big league rotation. Griffin, pitching for the Oakland A's Saturday, was forced to leave in the second inning -- also with shoulder discomfort -- and said that a similar injury in college kept him out for at least a week.
McCarthy is on schedule to reclaim his spot in the rotation the next time around, should the A's decide he is ready.
McCarthy, the A's Opening Day starter, is 6-3 with a 2.54 ERA in 12 starts for the A's this season, but his balky shoulder has forced him to miss time on multiple occasions.
Cliff Pennington, also rehabbing with the River Cats, went 2-for-4 with a strikeout. He played shortstop and batted second.