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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
CHICAGO (AP) -- Jason Giambi is a big-moment kind of guy. In a game that had a postseason feel, the Oakland slugger
offered a glimpse of the damage of which he's capable of.
Giambi hit a go-ahead, three-run homer as the Athletics won
their sixth straight, beating the Chicago White Sox 5-3 Friday
night in a matchup of potential playoff opponents.
|  | | Jason Giambi hits homer No. 27, a three-run shot, in the sixth inning Friday off of White Sox pitcher Mike Sirotka. |
"It's been storybook like this all year," Giambi said. "We're
keeping on Seattle's heels."
The win brough the A's within one game of the AL West-leading
Seattle Mariners, who lost 13-6 at New York.
"Did they lose?" asked grinning Oakland manager Art Howe.
"That's a bonus. We're concentrating on our games."
Oakland also maintained a 3½-game lead lead over Boston in the
AL wild-card standings.
Kevin Appier (10-8) allowed two runs, six hits and four walks in
6 1-3 innings for the win, his second straight following a
five-game losing streak.
"Hopefully we can win our division and not the wild card,"
Appier said. "When the season's over, I just hope we're in the
playoffs."
Chicago, which has lost eight of 12, drew just 30,019 for the
start of the big three-game series.
White Sox designated hitter Harold Baines, acquired Saturday
from Baltimore, was given a 2-minute standing ovation before his
at-bat in the second inning. Baines, in his third stint with the
White Sox, was 1-for-4.
Mike Sirotka (9-9) didn't allow a runner past first base in the
opening five innings.
Chicago led 2-0 until the sixth, when Terrence Long singled
leading off, Randy Velarde walked and Giambi, in a 4-for-24 slump,
hit his 27th homer, a 438-foot drive to center.
"I got all of it," Giambi said. "It was a big moment. Sirotka
was so good tonight. We just couldn't get anything off him."
Sirotka gave up three runs and five hits in seven innings,
striking out seven. "It came down to one pitch," he said. "They had me in a tough
situation and I didn't make the pitch. They made the pitches."
Pinch-hitter Matt Stairs added an RBI groundout off Billy Simas
in the eighth for a 4-2 lead.
Jose Valentin doubled off Mike Magnante leading off the bottom
half and scored on Magglio Ordonez's sacrifice fly, but Oakland
added a run in the ninth on Eric Chavez's RBI double.
Jason Isringhausen pitched the ninth for his 25th save in 30
chances. Valentin's two-run homer in the third followed Ray Durham's walk
and put Chicago ahead.
Carlos Lee hit a leadoff single in the seventh and Appier's 2-2
pitch appeared to hit Chris Singleton in the left foot. Singleton
walked to first, but after a conference with third-base umpire
Gerry Davis, plate ump Rich Rieker ruled it a wild pitch.
"The umpires did not see it, but things like that happen and we
have to overcome it," Chicago manager Jerry Manuel said.
Singleton struck out on the next pitch, Charles Johnson walked
and Mike Magnante relieved, getting Durham hit into a double play.
Game notes
Mike Stanley, signed before the game, went 1-for-4 as
Oakland's DH. ... Giambi's homer tied Cleveland's Jim Thome for the
longest hit by an opposing batter at Comiskey Park this season. ...
Singleton made a fine, feet-first diving catch of Sal Fasano's
liner to center in the third. ... Cal Eldred threw lightly on the
side before the game, reporting no pain. He will throw again in a
couple days. He's been disabled since July 17. ... J.T. Taylor,
formerly of the R&B band "Kool and the Gang," gave a postgame
concert. The finale was a Spanish version of "Celebration."
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Oakland Clubhouse
Chi. White Sox Clubhouse
RECAPS
Boston 5
Kansas City 4
Cleveland 11
Anaheim 10
Minnesota 3
Detroit 1
NY Yankees 13
Seattle 6
Toronto 10
Texas 8
Baltimore 10
Tampa Bay 9
Oakland 5
Chi. White Sox 3
Florida 2
Cincinnati 1
Houston 7
Montreal 6
Atlanta 6
St. Louis 4
Colorado 8
Philadelphia 1
NY Mets 6
Arizona 1
San Diego 11
Chicago Cubs 9
Los Angeles 2
Milwaukee 1
San Francisco 5
Pittsburgh 3
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