CHICAGO – Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko each hit two-run homers and the Chicago White Sox spoiled the debut of Oakland interim manager Bob Melvin, beating the Athletics 9-4 on Thursday night.
Melvin replaced Bob Geren earlier in the day, but the change couldn’t keep Oakland from its 10th straight defeat.
Additional Photos
The Athletics, who entered last in the AL with 223 runs scored, scored three runs or less for the fifth straight game, and eighth time during their skid. Oakland last lost 10 straight from July 28-Aug. 7, 2008.
Dunn was back in the lineup after sitting out two games because of a miserable start in which he has hit . 176. He was hit by a pitch and scored in Chicago’s three-run second. He homered for the first time since May 24, a two-run shot in the third.
Trevor Cahill (6-4) lasted just 22/3 innings, his shortest outing of the season.
He was unlucky to an extent, allowing four infield hits on dribblers in front of the plate. In the second, the White Sox loaded the bases on A.J. Pierzynski’s walk, Alex Rios’ single and Dunn’s hit by pitch. After Oakland third baseman Adam Rosales dropped a foul pop, Omar Vizquel hit a sacrifice fly to right to plate Chicago’s first run.
Gordon Beckham reached on a tapper in front of the plate, reloading the bases. Juan Pierre walked in a run, and then Alexei Ramirez hit a dribbler up the third-base line that Cahill was unable to handle, scoring the inning’s third run.
TWINS 5, RANGERS 4: In Minneapolis, Alexi Casilla laced a single to left field to drive in the winning run with two outs in the ninth.
TIGERS 4, MARINERS 1: In Detroit, Alex Avila tripled twice and Justin Verlander pitched eight strong innings. Verlander (7-3) struck out a season-best 10 while allowing one run on five hits.
ROYALS 3, BLUE JAYS 2: Jeff Francoeur drove in two runs, helping Luke Hochevar win for the first time in seven starts, and host Kansas City survived Joakim Soria’s shaky ninth to beat Toronto.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
METS 4, BREWERS 1: In Milwaukee, Jonathon Niese pitched effectively into the eighth and the Mets took two of three games against the best home team in the majors.
BRAVES 3, MARLINS 2: In Miami, Jair Jurrjens threw seven solid innings and drove in a run as the Braves handed the Marlins their eighth straight loss.
DIAMONDBACKS 2, PIRATES 0: In Pittsburgh, Chris Young hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning, four Arizona pitchers combined for a five-hit shutout and the Diamondbacks snapped a three-game losing streak.
Copy the Story Link
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.