Athletics 5, White Sox 4: Dingers send Sox back to loss column

The White Sox got off to a fast start against the Athletics and pitcher Dan Straily when they scored three runs in the third inning. With two outs and Tyler Flowers on first, Alejandro De Aza doubled to give the White Sox second and third. Alexei Ramirez came through with a two-run single and after a Ramirez stolen base, Alex Rios singled him home to give the Sox a 3-0 lead.

The A's got one back the next inning as Yoenis Cespedes blasted one deep into the left center field seats. Oakland would make it a 3-2 game in the fifth, when Adam Rosales doubled home a run.

The White Sox got one back in the bottom of the fifth, but it could have been more. Gordon Beckham walked and Flowers doubled to put men on second and third with nobody out. De Aza came through, bringing in Beckham with a single. After a Ramirez pop out and a De Aza steal, Rios drew a walk to load the bases. Adam Dunn hit a fly ball and Flowers gave it a go, but was gunned down by Josh Reddick at the plate to end the inning.

Cespedes would strike again in the sixth, as he cut the lead to 4-3 with his second homer of the evening. This one was of the opposite field variety, just over the glove of Alex Rios.

In the seventh, Reddick would tie the game with a rocket deep into the right field bleachers.

In all, Jose Quintana would go 7 2/3 innings which helped saved the bullpen after yesterday's debacle. He did surrender the four runs and left with a no-decision.

The Sox had a chance to win it in the ninth. Dayan Viciedo singled to lead off the inning and was replaced for pinch runner Jordan Danks. Conor Gillaspie laid down a poor bunt and Danks was forced at second for the first out. With Gillaspie running, Beckham grounded to short for the second out. Up came Flowers with a chance to end it with a single, but Flowers was wrung up on strikes. Two pitches in a row were well inside, but they were both called strikes.

After playing 16 yesterday, the Sox would go back into extras today. Matt Thornton got the first two A's out, but up stepped Rosales who hit one just inside the left field pole to give the A's the 5-4 lead.

On came Grant Balfour to close things out. De Aza singled to lead things off and Ramirez bunted him to second. Rios hit a chopper to short for the second out, which brought up Dunn. With two strikes, Dunn connected and Hawk screamed "THAT BALL HIT DEEP", but unfortunately, the ball landed in the glove of Cespedes right at the fence in left field.

* Mark Parent was managing today's game as Robin Ventura was at his daughters graduation.

* The White Sox selected shortstop Tim Anderson in the first round of the MLB Draft and pitcher Tyler Danish in the second round.

Record: 25-33 | Box