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Fresh off new deal, A's Cahill takes the mound vs. White Sox

Apr 12, 2011 - 3:08 PM (Sports Network) - On the heels of his new contract extension, Oakland right- hander Trevor Cahill takes the hill this evening trying to give his Athletics a series victory in the middle test of a three-game set against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.

Cahill, an 18-game winner in 2010, inked a five-year extension on Monday worth a reported $30.5 million. The agreement also includes club options for both the 2016 and 2017 seasons, valued at $13 million and $13.5 million, respectively, making for a potential seven-year deal that could take Cahill to age 30.

"I'm guaranteed to pitch here for a while, so I couldn't be happier," Cahill said. "There's no place I'd rather play."

Cahill has picked up right where he left off last season, as he is 1-0 through two starts with a 1.42 earned run average. He defeated the Toronto Blue Jays his last time out, as he allowed a run and three hits over eight innings, while striking out seven without walking a batter.

In five starts against the White Sox, Cahill is 1-1 with a 3.34 ERA.

Chicago will also be throwing a right-hander who is off to quick start in Edwin Jackson, who is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA. Jackson was brilliant his last time out against the Tampa Bay Rays, surrendering a run and four hits in eight innings. He also struck out 13 batters and has fanned 20 in 14 innings this season.

"I got up [in the count] early and was able to get outs quick today," said Jackson. "There wasn't many times when I got behind or got into trouble and when I did I was able to get out of it quickly."

Jackson has faced the A's four times and is 2-1 with a 3.08 ERA in those outings.

Oakland won its third straight game in Monday's opener, as Kurt Suzuki hit a solo homer in the 10th inning and broke up Mark Buehrle's no-hitter in the sixth inning, helping the A's to a 2-1 win.

Cliff Pennington scored on a Juan Pierre fielding error with one out in the top of the ninth to pull the A's even and Tyson Ross (1-0) got the win for allowing only one hit with a walk in three innings of work. He also struck out four.

Buehrle, who was in search of his 150th career win, was stellar for Chicago, going eight innings and allowing only two hits and walk one. He completed his solid outing by recording one strikeout.

Brent Lillibridge accounted for Chicago's only run on a solo homer in the fifth inning. Matt Thornton blew his third save of the season by allowing an unearned run on one hit in the eighth, and Jesse Crain (0-1) was tagged for the loss for allowing a run on two hits in 1 2/3.

Oakland was 5-4 against the White Sox last season.