OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Chicago White Sox just couldn't get much going against Sonny Gray and the Oakland Athletics.
Gray pitched seven strong innings while dealing with the lingering effects of a stomach flu that forced him to miss an opening-day start, and the A's beat the White Sox 2-1 on Wednesday night.
White Sox catcher Alex Avila didn't think Gray looked tired.
"I asked him today, 'How you feeling?' and he goes 'Not too good,'" Avila said. "It didn't seem that way. He's got a lot of confidence in everything he throws. It's a hang-with-him type of day. You try to survive against guys like that."
Chicago starter Carlos Rodon gave up two runs and seven hits over seven innings. He walked one and struck out six.
Jimmy Rollins had a sacrifice fly for the White Sox.
Mark Canha homered and Jed Lowrie had a sacrifice fly to help Oakland gets its first win of the season.
Gray gave up a run and three hits, walking four and striking out five.
"I felt OK," Gray said. "I still feel a little beat but I wanted to go out and try to make pitches. This was a pretty important game. You don't want to start 0-3."
Gray began to drag a bit after recording the first out of the seventh, but maintained just enough to get three groundouts in the inning.
John Axford pitched a scoreless eighth and Ryan Madsen got the final three outs for his first save. Madsen's last four saves have come against the White Sox.
Adam Eaton singled twice and walked, reaching base safely in 25 consecutive games dating to last Sept. 9.
TRAINER'S ROOM
White Sox: INF Rollins will get the day off Thursday. "We don't want Jimmy playing every day," Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. "It has nothing to do with ability and he came in great shape. It's just age." ... OF Melky Cabrera will switch positions with DH Avisail Garcia on Thursday.
Athletics: LHP Eric Surkamp will be recalled after Thursday's game and start for the A's on Friday in Seattle's home opener. Surkamp appeared in 35 games, out of the bullpen, with the White Sox in 2014. "He's got a nice, easy delivery," Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. "He came in and did good work for us." ... INF Eric Sogard (neck) will stay in Oakland to continue rehabbing.
UP NEXT
White Sox: RHP Mat Latos makes his Chicago White Sox and Oakland Coliseum debut in Thursday's series finale against the A's. The seven-year veteran is 4-11, with a 4.74 ERA in 24 April starts. Lowrie is 5 for 8 against him, including two home runs.
Athletics: RHP Kendall Graveman, who was sent home with the flu Tuesday night, makes the start on Thursday. Graveman, who said he lost about 12 pounds because of the illness, has never faced the White Sox.
