Oakland's Jack Cust set an American League record with 197 strikeouts last season, but is looking to decrease that number significantly in 2009. He struck out 18 times in 63 at-bats this spring, considerable improvement for Cust. "He's got to be willing to cut (his swing) down with two strikes and go the other way," A's hitting coach Jim Skaalen said. "I'm pleased with his attitude. He said he wasn't pleased with the year he had last year, and I was happy to hear that."