connecting on a combined 9 of 13 from the floor.
Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2016 8:37 amOAKLAND, Calif. . - One after another, the starting pitchers for the Oakland Athletics are shutting down opponents and making up for most of the clubs shortcomings. Especially the back of the bullpen. Jesse Chavez struck out seven and came up an inning short of his first complete game, and the As held on to beat the Chicago White Sox 5-4 on Monday night for their season-high fifth straight win. "We all feed off of each other," Chavez said. "And I think thats what makes a good staff." Chavez (3-1) gave up five hits and walked two for the AL-West leading As, who have outscored opponents 28-8 during the winning streak. The former reliever allowed only solo home runs to Dayan Viciedo and Jose Abreu, whose major-league leading 14th long ball in the ninth chased the right-hander. Josh Donaldson hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the fifth, and Josh Reddick hit a tying triple in the second off John Danks (3-3) during Oaklands win. Jed Lowrie added a two-run double in the seventh that proved pivotal after the White Sox scored three runs in the ninth and nearly forced extra innings. Left-hander Sean Doolittle recorded the final three outs, striking out pinch-hitter Tyler Flowers and Leury Garcia to strand the tying runner on second. "Didnt want it to get to that point, but thats how it got there," As manager Bob Melvin said. Danks gave up six hits and three runs in six innings, striking out five and walking two. Chicago, which has lost four of five, came up just short and too late. "It wasnt a lack of trying. Sometimes you hit it and its right at people," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura, who was agitated after a 5-1 home loss to Arizona on Sunday, calling it "uninspired" effort. After Abreus homer, Fernando Abad walked Adam Dunn. Then struggling Jim Johnson gave up a double to Viciedo and an RBI single to Alexei Ramirez, setting off another shower of boos. Pinch-hitter Paul Konerkos sacrifice fly sliced Oaklands lead to 5-4 before Doolittle struck out the final two batters for his second save this season. "I think it was important for me tonight not getting caught up in the moment of trying to get the save and stop the bleeding," Doolittle said. The AL-West leading As, coming off a home sweep of Washington, added another layer of frustration for a Chicago team beginning a nine-game road trip that also stops in Houston and Kansas City. The White Sox spent about eight hours on a plane Sunday night because of storms in Chicago that delayed their flight to the Bay Area, then they played a late game on the West Coast. They still started strong but wasted an opportunity to retake the lead when they advanced runners to second and third on Chavezs wild pitch in the fifth. Conor Gillaspie hit a hard line drive with two outs — but right into centre fielder Craig Gentrys glove. Then came Donaldsons drive in the fifth, lining a 2-0 fastball into the seats in left for his eighth home run. Lowrie added a two-run double off reliever Daniel Webb in the seventh to stretch Oaklands lead to 5-1. Chavez kept inducing quick outs and nearly finished the game himself. He had never completed more than seven innings, which he has done three times this year. Chavez has allowed one earned run or fewer in six of his eight starts this season. The As are a 7-1 when he pitches. "We faced him in the spring. Hes good," Dunn said. :Hes going to be around the strike zone. When a guy has that many pitches, you try to get him early. It didnt work out." NOTES Athletics CF Coco Crisp took swings in batting practice before sitting out for the fifth straight game with a strained neck. He is day to day. ... White Sox LHP Chris Sale, out since April 17 because of a strained muscle near his left elbow, is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment in Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday. ... LHP Drew Pomeranz (2-1, 1.45 ERA) makes his second start for the As opposite Chicagos Scott Carroll on Tuesday. . The Hawks sent the Knicks to a fifth straight home loss and in search of answers with a 110-90 victory Saturday. New York coach Mike Woodson said he might look at lineup changes, but his teams problems go well beyond who starts. .com) - Former Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone will be an assistant head coach for offense and offensive line coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2015. . Dee Gordon and Puig broke open a tie game with consecutive RBI doubles in the seventh, Matt Kemp homered in the eighth and the Dodgers beat the NL West-leading Giants 6-2 on Saturday.MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Courtney Lee scored 18 points, Marc Gasol had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and the Memphis Grizzlies overcame a late three-point shooting display by Los Angeles to beat the Lakers 108-103 on Wednesday night. Tony Allen added 17 points for Memphis, while James Johnson also scored 14 and Zach Randolph added 13. Jodie Meeks led the Lakers with 19 points, Wesley Johnson added 18 and Pau Gasol had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Jordan Farmars added 16 points and MarShon Brooks had 14. The Lakers were 7 of 11 on three-pointers in the fourth quarter and Farmars three from 29 feet with about 15 seconds left pulled Los Angeles to 106-103. However, Lees two free throws closed the scoring. Memphis still led 102-89 with 2:22 left, but a three-pointer by Johnson and two by Farmar made things uncomfortable for the Grizzlies at the end. The Lakers finished shooting 49 per cent, including 15 of 28 on threes. Memphis also shot 49 per cent, but was 4 of 13 from long distance. Memphis controlled the inside, outrebounding the Lakers 45-34 and holding a 56-34 advantage on scoring in the paint. The Grizzlies dominated the first half, shooting 57 per cent, including 4 of 9 from outside the arc for a 65-46 lead at the break. Lee and Allen already had 11 points apiece, connecting on a combined 9 of 13 from the floor. The Lakers held only one lead with their first basket of the game. From there, the Grizzlies continued to build on the advantage that eventually reachhed 20 in the half. . Johnson had 12 points for the Lakers, who shot 43 per cent. Los Angeles committed 10 turnovers leading to 16 Memphis points. The Grizzlies also held a 34-16 scoring margin in the paint. The Lakers defence seemed to put little pressure on Grizzlies shooters in the half, contributing to Memphis field-goal percentage. The Grizzlies came out sloppy in the second half. In the first four minutes of the third, they committed three turnovers and were only 2 of 7 from the field. The Lakers managed to cut the deficit to 16, but it didnt take long for Memphis to push the lead back to 20. The Lakers pulled to 76-64 on Pau Gasols jumper, then consecutive three-pointers from Brooks and Meeks helped pull Los Angeles to 82-73 at the end of the third. Meeks had 11 in the third, and Pau Gasol added eight points as Los Angeles outscored Memphis 27-17 in the frame. Ryan Kellys three-pointer to open the fourth brought Los Angeles within six. Memphis took the lead back to double digits with a 9-2 push, before the Lakers used three-point shooting to make it interesting down the stretch. NOTES: Memphis reserve G Mike Miller had six points, ending his string of three games off the bench with at least 10 points. ... The Lakers bench, second in league in scoring at 41 points a game, scored 35 but Memphis reserves had 49. ... Lakers C Chris Kaman did not dress because of a sore back. ... Memphis is 52-7 over the past two seasons when it reaches 100 points. ' ' '