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Parker, A's blank White Sox to complete sweep

Jun 3, 2013 - 2:23 AM Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Jarrod Parker and three Oakland relievers combined on a three-hit shutout of the Chicago White Sox to complete the Athletics' three-game sweep with a 2-0 victory at O.co Coliseum.

Parker (4-6) limited Chicago to two hits while striking out seven and walking two over 6 1/3 stellar frames, and Grant Balfour capped a stingy bullpen effort to close out the second shutout of the series.

Coco Crisp scored both of Oakland's runs, once on a Josh Donaldson sacrifice fly and the other thanks to an error in the eighth.

The A's have won 14 of their last 16 games to move a season-high 10 games over .500, while the White Sox have dropped six in a row since evening their record last Sunday.

"We're not playing very well right now. It's pretty obvious," White Sox third baseman Conor Gillaspie said.

Chris Sale (5-3) lost for the first time since Apr. 18 despite another quality start and had his scoreless streak end at 28 innings in the sixth.

The left-hander allowed just one runner past first base through five innings but issued a walk to Crisp to open the sixth. Crisp, whose likeness was printed on a giveaway cereal bowl Sunday, sprinted to third on Jed Lowrie's single and scored two batters later on Donaldson's fly to right.

The inning turned out to be the last for Sale, who was charged with one run on four hits and one walk while striking out five.

Parker was pulled after retiring Dayan Viciedo with his 105th pitch, and Jerry Blevins and Ryan Cook each retired the only batter they faced to end the seventh.

Cook stayed in and tossed a 1-2-3 eighth, and after Crisp scored via Jordan Danks' error in center field on a hit by Lowrie, Balfour worked around a leadoff single in the ninth to record his 13th save in as many chances.

"Jarrod matched up and pitched better than Sale," Athletics manager Bob Melvin said of his starter. "He found the tenacity he needs to be successful."

Game Notes

This was Oakland's first sweep of the White Sox since Aug. 14-16, 2007 ... Parker has recorded five straight quality starts ... Balfour has converted his last 31 save chances dating back to last season ... Sale has pitched to a 1.23 ERA over his last six straights ... Sale had been 10-0 against AL West teams in 24 career games -- 11 starts ... Chicago has lost seven in a row on the road ... Before the game, the White Sox placed outfielder Dewayne Wise on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring and recalled Danks from Triple-A Charlotte. Danks went 0-for-3 on Sunday ... Chicago hosts the A's for four games next weekend.