Oakland Athletics’ Khris Davis (2) celebrates his two-run home run with Yonder Alonso (17) as Jed Lowrie, left, who also scored on the play, watches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Friday, June 23, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

By Matthew Harrington

The Oakland Athletics started off the weekend series with a bang, using a pair of homeruns to down the host Chicago White Sox 3-0 Friday night at Guaranteed Rate Field. Khris Davis launched his 19^th homer of the year while the red-hot Matt Joyce launched a solo shot for the Green and Gold. Jharel Cotton (5-7) fired a sharp but brief three hit, five inning performance for the win. Santiago Casilla collected his 12^th save of the year. Chicago shortstop Tim Anderson and Manager Rick Renteria were ejected in the fifth inning for arguing balls and strikes.

Jed Lowrie coaxed a two-out walk from White Sox starter Mike Pelfrey, setting the table for Davis’ two-run shot. Joyce tagged Pelfrey (3-6) for a solo homer in the fifth to hand the veteran righty the loss. The A’s managed five hits to seven for the Pale Hose.

Three of Chicago’s hits came off starter Cotton who started the sixth inning with three K’s and only one walk. After allowing a single, Cotton showed discomfort in his hand. He was pulled after just 66 pitches. Reliever Liam Hendriks fired a scoreless sixth, then Ryan Madson and the recently returned Sean Doolittle followed suit.

Casilla got the job done in the ninth, but not without giving up no-out singles to Melky Cabrera and Jose Abreu. The A’s closer coaxed a pop-out from the AL batting average leader Avisail Garcia, then managed to get the second out on Todd Frazier’s fielder’s choice that forced out Abreu. Designated hitter Matt Davidson lined out to end the game and snap a four-game losing streak for the A’s.

Daniel Gossett takes the mound for his third start of his career. He’ll be opposed by veteran James Shields in game two.