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Wednesday, Aug. 30 3:35pm ET
Appier unravels in seventh in A's loss | |||||
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GAME LOG
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- The Chicago White Sox, who have lost some steam in the second half of the season, show signs of heating up again. Getting another well-pitched game, this time from starter Mike Sirotka and reliever Bobby Howry, the White Sox downed Oakland 8-3 Wednesday to win two of three in the matchup of two of the AL's highest-scoring teams. Chicago pitchers gave up just six runs in the three games against the Athletics, who have scored 746 runs to a league-high 807 by the White Sox. "Another good performance by our pitchers; we got real solid efforts back-to-back," White Sox manager Jerry Manuel said. "Sirotka is one of the guys that if he gets hot down the stretch can help us win some games." James Baldwin combined with relievers to blank the Athletics 3-0 in the second game of the series after Oakland's Tim Hudson threw a one-hitter in the Athletics' 3-0 win in the opener. Chicago is just 24-22 since the All-Star break, but remains well ahead in the AL Central. "I think it's just been a matter of holding the fort," said Sirotka (13-10). "When we get Jon (Garland) and Cal (Eldred) back, it will stabilize our pitching and give our offense some support." Garland and Eldred both are working their way back from injuries and are currently on rehab assignments in the minors. Sirotka pitched seven strong innings and Jose Valentin put Chicago in front with a two-run single in the seventh. Sirotka limited Oakland to two runs and six hits, including a solo homer by Eric Chavez in the fourth inning. The White Sox scored four times in the ninth to break the game open. Oakland had closed to 4-3 on Jason Giambi's RBI double off reliever Kelly Wunsch in the eighth, but Howry replaced Wunsch and retired the next three batters to preserve the lead. Howry got six outs for his sixth save. "Howry did a tremendous job," Manuel said. Chicago stretched the lead in the ninth, when Oakland's Jason Isringhausen hit Magglio Ordonez with a pitch with the bases loaded, then walked Harold Baines to force in another run. The White Sox scored two more on Carlos Lee's RBI grounder, with Ordonez coming home on shortstop Miguel Tejada's throwing error. Kevin Appier (12-10) limited the White Sox to one run through six innings and the Athletics were up 2-1 when the right-hander ran into trouble in the seventh. Appier gave up consecutive one-out singles to Chris Singleton and Mark Johnson and a walk to Ray Durham. Jim Mecir replaced Appier and Valentin greeted him with a bloop single to shallow left. Frank Thomas singled to drive in Durham and make it 3-1. Appier allowed four runs and seven hits in 6 1-3 innings. He struck out five and walked two. "Appier pitched well; he deserved better," Oakland manager Art Howe said. "We were right in the game but then they broke it open. At the same time, Sirotka pitched well. All three games were well-pitched by both clubs." Chavez homered in the fourth, his 20th, to snap a 1-1 tie. Singleton's sacrifice fly gave the White Sox a short-lived 1-0 lead in the second inning. In the bottom of the inning, Ramon Hernandez tied it with an RBI double. Oakland also has struggled since the All-Star break, going 22-24 but remaining on the heels of slumping Seattle in the AL West race. Game notesOakland's 1B Jason Giambi had a cortisone shot in his sore left shoulder after the game and is expected to miss Friday night's opener of a three-game series at Toronto. ... Chicago rookie RHP Garland, sidelined since Aug. 18 when a line drive struck him just below his right elbow at Tampa Bay, was impressive in a rehab start at Double-A Birmingham. Garland struck out 10 in six shutout innings, giving up four hits and one walk Wednesday. ... Tejada had 62 pairs of spikes around his locker before one game this week, but not to keep him stocked up. Tejada has the shoes shipped back to his native Dominican Republic for children who can't afford spikes. | ALSO SEE Baseball Scoreboard Chi. White Sox Clubhouse Oakland Clubhouse RECAPS Kansas City 8 Minnesota 7
Chi. White Sox 8
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