By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Thursday, September 11, 2014

Oakland’s chances of reclaiming first place in the American League West are slipping away quickly.

On Thursday, the Athletics were blanked 1-0 at Chicago by the White Sox, increasing the Los Angeles Angels’ lead in the AL West to 10 games. Oakland lost three of four to the White Sox in the midweek series, and has lost 11 of their last 14 games.

The A’s lead the AL Wild Card race by one game over surging Detroit and 1 ½ over Seattle. The Angels won their eighth consecutive game on Thursday, while the Tigers and Mariners were idle.

The White Sox’s Marcus Semien hit a solo home run to deep left-center field off losing pitch Scott Kazmir (14-8) in the bottom of the sixth inning for the game’s only run.

Kazmir struck out seven and walked one while giving up four hits in his best start in over a month. Chris Sale (12-3) worked the first eight innings to get the win, surrendering only two hits while striking out nine.

Jake Petricka gave up one hit in a scoreless ninth to earn his 13th save of the season.

The Athletics travel to Seattle to start a three-game series Friday night, hoping to widen their lead in the Wild Card race.

A’s ACORNS: In the 38 games since Yoenis Cespedes was traded to Boston, the A’s have scored three runs or less 23 times, have lost 12 games by one run, have seen their runs per game average drop from 5.0 to 3.5, and have a record in that span of 15-23. … A’s LHP Sean Doolittle is expected to leave the disabled list on Friday. Doolittle, the Oakland closer, had been on the shelf since Aug. 24 because of strained intercostal muscle. … Chicago starter Chris Sale lowered his AL-leading earned run average to 1.99, hoping to become the first White Sox hurler to lead the league in ERA since Joel Horlen in 1967.