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A's go for sweep of visiting White Sox

Aug 16, 2007 - 1:03 PM Chi White Sox (54-65) at Oakland (59-62) 3:35 pm EDT

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Oakland Atheltics look to complete a three-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.

In the first two games of the series, the Athletics have pulled out 4-3 and 3-2 wins.

The A's have made a habit of playing close games this year due to a stellar pitching staff and a largely stagnant offense. Oakland ranks third in the majors with a 3.95 team ERA, but comes in just 26th in batting average at .252.

Luckily for the A's, the White Sox are the lone team in the American League with a worse offense, coming in at .246.

Dan Haren (13-4, 2.53 ERA) will try to clinch the sweep for Oakland. The AL ERA leader has allowed three runs or less in his last seven starts, but is 0-1 with a 5.56 ERA is two career starts against the White Sox.

Countering for Chicago will be veteran Javier Vazquez (10-5, 3.65). The righthander is 7-1 over his last nine starts and has a 2.97 ERA and 58 strikeouts over that stretch.

Vazquez will be trying to get the ball to All-Star closer Bobby Jenks, who tied a major league record by setting down his 41st straight batter on Sunday. Jim Barr also retired 41 straight batters for San Francisco in 1972.