Run of futility continues for Sox in 3-2 loss to A's
OAKLAND, Calif. -- The White Sox finally seemed ready to shed their long run of failure at Oakland this season.
In their first road trip of the year, the Sox stormed into the Coliseum in early April and won two of three from the Athletics.
Dating back to 2001, the White Sox were a dreadful 4-23 at Oakland, so the early success was viewed as a positive omen for the rest of the season.
Unfortunately for the Sox, they failed to build on the rare series win and steadily dropped out of sight in the AL Central race.
And on their second trip to the Bay Area, the White Sox have reverted back to form.
After dropping the series opener 4-3, the Sox lost another close one against the A's on Wednesday night, 3-2.
The White Sox were trailing 3-0 in the eighth inning when Alan Embree came on in relief of Oakland starter Joe Blanton.
Jerry Owens tripled with one out and came home on Josh Fields' sacrifice fly to end the shutout. The Sox continued to rally when Jermaine Dye singled and scored on Paul Konerko's double.
But the White Sox (54-65) couldn't make another push in the ninth against A's closer Huston Street as they lost their fourth in a row. Street struck out the side in the final inning, including pinch-hitter Jim Thome to end the game.
Sox starter Mark Buehrle came in with an 0-5 record and 5.08 ERA in 9 career starts at Oakland, and the left-hander again came out on the losing end.
But Buehrle kept the Sox in the game while pitching 7 innings and allowing 3 runs on 7 hits.
The Athletics took a 1-0 lead in the inning when Nick Swisher doubled with one out and Jack Cust followed with a walk.
Mike Piazza's single scored Swisher.
In the seventh inning, Donny Murphy led off with a double and came home on Kurt Suzuki's home run.
Buehrle (9-8) pitched much better than in his prior start, when he allowed 7 runs on 8 hits over 4 innings last Thursday in a loss to the Cleveland Indians at U.S. Cellular Field.
A's 3, White Sox 2
On the mound: Starter Mark Buehrle took the loss after pitching 7 innings and allowing 3 runs on 7 hits.
At the plate: Jerry Owens tripled in the eighth inning and scored on a sacrifice fly by Josh Fields (2-for-3). Paul Konekro was 2-for-4 with an RBI double.