Athletics Top White Sox, 11-2
CHICAGO (AP) — Josh Donaldson had a career-high five hits while driving in four runs, helping Jon Lester and the Oakland Athletics beat the Chicago White Sox 11-2 on Tuesday night.
Donaldson also scored two runs as Oakland got just its third win in 12 games. Lester (14-10) gave up two runs over eight innings, and the Athletics took advantage of a season-high five errors by Chicago.
Possibly the only negative for Oakland was Craig Gentry suffering a concussion in a collision at first base while beating out a bunt single in the fifth. He was replaced by pinch-runner Josh Reddick.
The Athletics are trying to hang on to a wild card after plummeting out of the AL West race, and they came away with a much needed win.
Lester gave up seven hits, struck out eight and walked two after going 0-3 in his previous four starts.
He was sailing along with a 5-0 lead when Dayan Viciedo homered leading off the seventh. Carlos Sanchez got thrown out trying to stretch an RBI double to a triple, ending the inning, and Oakland pulled away.
Chicago's John Danks (9-11) lasted six innings, allowing four runs — two earned — and seven hits. He is 0-5 in his past eight starts.
Third baseman Marcus Semien had a rough night with three errors, and the White Sox lost for the fifth time in six games.
Donaldson singled and scored in a two-run fourth, and then added a two-run double in the fifth to make it 4-0. That hit came right after Gentry left the game.
Coco Crisp had just reached on an error leading off the inning when Gentry laid down a bunt toward the right side. He beat Danks' throw, but his head collided with Sanchez's shoulder while the second baseman was covering the bag.
Gentry stayed down for several minutes, holding his head while being tended to, before walking gingerly off the field.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Athletics: Closer Sean Doolittle (strained muscle in the rib area) will throw a side session on Wednesday and, barring a setback, could rejoin the bullpen on Thursday, manager Bob Melvin said. ... Melvin hopes C John Jaso will be cleared to play after he consults with concussion expert Dr. Micky Collins in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. ... Melvin said C/OF Stephen Vogt (sprained left ankle) is improving but not ready to resume baseball activities.
White Sox: Manager Robin Ventura isn't sure when retiring 1B Paul Konerko (fractured left hand) will be ready to swing again. He is expected to return before the season — and his career — ends. "I'm going by how painful it is for him, and he's gonna let me know when he can start swinging and doing things," Ventura said. "Right now, we're treating him as much as you can and getting him back to the point where he can start swinging the bat."
UP NEXT
Jeff Samardzija (4-5, 3.70 ERA) makes his first start in Chicago since the Cubs traded him to Oakland on July 5, while Chris Bassitt (0-1, 7.36) pitches for the White Sox.
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