Athletics 7 - 5 White Sox
Final
  for this game

Slumping A's try again to end slide in Chicago

Jun 10, 2011 - 2:56 PM

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(Sports Network) - Oakland may have a new manager at the helm, but the losses continue to pile up. Tonight, the Athletics try to avoid an 11th straight setback when they continue their four-game series with the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.

The Athletics fired manager Bob Geren and named Bob Melvin as his replacement on an interim basis on Thursday before extending their season-high losing streak with a 9-4 loss.

"When you replace your manager, listen, it's a drastic move no matter who's doing it," Oakland general manager Billy Beane said. "I've never had to do it [during the season] during my tenure here as a general manager, so this is a new script for myself."

Oakland starter Trevor Cahill (6-4) remained winless in his last six starts. He was roughed up for six runs on eight hits and three walks over just 2 2/3 innings.

"Certainly it's all about winning," Melvin said. "It would have been nice to go home tonight and get some sleep knowing we got the win. But we just have to come back and battle tomorrow."

With another loss tonight, the A's will have lost 11 straight for the first time since a 12-game slide April 19-30, 1994.

The White Sox earned their third victory over the last four games as Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko each had a two-run homer.

Mark Buehrle (6-4) was solid in seven innings for Chicago, giving up three runs on seven hits with four strikeouts.

Hoping to add to the A's misery tonight will be righty Edwin Jackson, who is 4-5 with a 4.50 ERA. Jackson did not get a decision on Sunday against Detroit, but pitched well, allowing two runs and seven hits in six innings of his team's 4-2 loss.

Jackson did not get a decision the last time he faced the A's either but is 2-1 in five starts against them, pitching to a 3.48 ERA in those outings.

Oakland, meanwhile, will take a chance on right-hander Graham Godfrey, who will be making his first major league start in place of the injured Brett Anderson.

Godfrey was 7-1 with a 2.50 ERA in nine starts with Triple-A Sacramento, and led the River Cats with 45 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings.

Chicago has won four of its seven games with the A's this season.






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