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Sonny Gray too much for the White Sox on Wednesday night

By Patrick K. Flowers Sr.

Apr 6, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) throws against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) throws against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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2. 96. 1. 128. Final

OAKLAND, CA – The White Sox (2-0), and the Athletics (0-2) matched up for game three of four on Wednesday night in the bay. After taking the first two games of the series the White Sox looked to open the season 3-0 for the first time since 1992 with a win on Wednesday. The White Sox sent second year pitcher Carlos Rodon out to oppose A’s ace Sonny Gray on the hill.

The A’s got on the board early after lead-off hitter Billy Burns reached on a base hit to center-field to open the home half of the first inning, and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly off of the bat of A’s second-baseman Jed Lowrie.

In the bottom of the second inning A’s right-fielder Mark Canha hit a solo home run to right field, giving the Athletics a 2-0 lead after two innings in Oakland.

Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

White Sox shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who homered in the ninth inning of last nights ballgame drove in center-fielder Austin Jackson on a sacrifice fly to left field in the top of the third inning, cutting the Oakland lead to just one run. The A’s led the White Sox 2-1 after three innings.

Sonny Gray pitched seven strong innings on the evening, allowing one run on three hits while striking out five, and walking four White Sox hitters. Carlos Rodon also pitched a solid game after allowing the two runs, in the first two innings to the Athletics. Rodon pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out six hitters, and walking just one.

Adam Eaton reached on an infield single against Oakland reliever John Axford to start off the top of the eighth inning. Jimmy Rollins then hit a ground ball up the middle, directly into the shift applied by the Oakland defense, as Marcus Semien was able to step on second base and fire it to first in time to turn the double play.

White Sox First-baseman Jose Abreu kept the inning alive as he singled down the right-field line, before being replaced by pinch-runner Tyler Saladino, with Todd Frazier up to hit. Axford was able to induce a ground out from Frazier, escaping trouble in the eighth inning.

Jake Petricka danced around two walks, and a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth as he struggled with his control again on Wednesday night.

A’s reliever Ryan Madson was able to work around a lead off single by Melky Cabrera as he notched the save on Wednesday night.

The Athletics picked up the win 2-1 in Oakland, as the White Sox fell to 2-1 on the young season. The finale of the four game set is Thursday afternoon at 2:35 PM (CT) on CSN Chicago, and WLS 890AM radio. Mat Latos will oppose Athletics starter Kendall Graveman on the mound.

WP: Sonny Gray (1-0) – LP: Carlos Rodon (0-1) – S: Ryan Madson (1)

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