Lopez, Sox lose in Oakland - but help is on the way

There was plenty of good news for the White Sox on Thursday, but it all came before the first pitch against Oakland.

Not long after manager Tony La Russa announced injured starting pitchers Carlos Rodon, Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito have been cleared to return to the mound, the Sox lost to the Athletics 3-1.

Rodon, who has been limited to 3 starts and 15 innings pitched since the beginning of August due to shoulder soreness, is scheduled to start Friday night against the Red Sox.

Lance Lynn (knee) is set to come off the injured list Sunday and oppose Boston's Chris Sale at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Lucas Giolito (hamstring) is scheduled to come off the IL Tuesday for a home start against the Angels.

"Right now, we're excited," La Russa said. "All three guys are making good progress and we're optimistic."

If they can stay healthy, there is still enough time for Rodon, Lynn and Giolito to make 3-4 starts each and get ready for the playoffs.

"I think it's a good result because they did not miss as much time," La Russa said. "If they had missed more time they would have to start from further back to be game ready. They did enough throwing so yeah, our fingers are crossed that the plan goes ahead as scheduled and it continues. It would be huge for us."

As for the game, it was much like the White Sox's 5-1 loss to the A's Wednesday night.

Oakland starter Sean Manaea and relievers Sergio Romo and Andrew Chafin held the Sox to 7 hits Thursday.

"Most important was his command," La Russa said of Manaea, who allowed 1 run on 5 hits over 7 innings to go with 9 strikeouts. "He's got good stuff, but he kept it out of the middle of the plate the whole game. Give him credit."

Jose Abreu drove in the White Sox's lone run with a single in the third inning.

Reynaldo Lopez started for the Sox and allowed 1 earned run over 5 innings. His errant pickoff throw in the third resulted in 2 unearned runs.

"I had to battle through a few things," Lopez said through a translator. "My stuff wasn't as good as it usually is. Today was one of those days you have to battle through, and even though I didn't have my best stuff I was able to get through 5 innings. I made one mistake and I paid for it."