PHOENIX — The shooting of five Oakland Police Department officers on Saturday hit close to home within the A's organization.

The team held a moment of silence before Sunday's 12-10 Cactus League loss to the Chicago White Sox. Three of the officers — Mark Dunakin, Ervin Romans, Daniel Sakai — were killed, and a third, John Hege, is brain-dead.

Two of the officers, Dunakin and Hege, often worked A's games at the Oakland Coliseum, according to David Rinetti, the team's vice president of stadium operations.

"It hit me hard," Rinetti said.

Hege spent years providing security in the Coliseum's West Side Club. More recently, Dunakin worked ballpark security and also provided escorts for players and umpires.

Both men were well known to employees throughout the Coliseum.

"You see those guys at the ballpark all the time and you take it for granted," Rinetti said. "Now their presence isn't there anymore."

The A's sent out a public statement Sunday that read:

"Not only did we have a business relationship with some of these officers, but a personal one as well. They were fixtures working our games and some also served as team escorts. Our hearts and prayers go out to their families. We appreciate the job that they did, as we do all members of the Oakland Police Department."

Two club officials said the A's are planning to honor the slain officers during the regular season.

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen took a white marker and wrote "OPD" on his black hat Sunday as a tribute.

"I've never seen anything sadder than a police funeral," Guillen said. ". . . How come we only worry about police when they get killed? We don't give them enough credit for making our life easier."

SHORT HOPS

Starting pitcher Vin Mazzaro, one of three A's prospects bidding for the starting rotation, gave up seven runs in two innings Sunday. It was his second straight subpar outing. Mazzaro said he was leaving his slider and changeup up in the zone. "I think I have a few things to work on. . . . Dallas Braden gave up three runs in 51/3 innings, all on solo homers. . . . Kurt Suzuki had a 4-for-4 day. . . . Reliever Joey Devine (right elbow) said he threw all of his pitches during Sunday's bullpen session, and he's on target to throw in a minor league game Tuesday. . . . Eric Chavez is tentatively set to take batting practice Tuesday after hitting off a tee Sunday with no problems. . . . Justin Duchscherer is on target for another bullpen session today. . . . A source confirmed the A's are discussing a contract extension with manager Bob Geren and that a deal could happen soon. A published report Sunday said Geren was close to getting a one-year extension with an additional option year. His existing deal is up after this season.