Athletics 4, White Sox 2
CHICAGO - Billy Butler hit a three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning lead the Oakland Athletics to a 4-2 comeback victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.
With runners on first and third and one out, Butler, the designated hitter, hit a drive off Chicago closer David Robertson (6-4) to the opposite field. Right fielder Avisail Garcia jumped and got a glove on the ball, but the contact with the wall jarred the ball loose and it fell into the visiting bullpen.
Robertson has blown seven saves this season.
Left-hander Sean Doolittle (1-0) pitched the final two innings for the win.
First baseman Mike Olt homered for the White Sox.
Chicago took a 2-1 lead into the ninth inning. Oakland had managed just four hits to that point against starter Jose Quintana and reliever Matt Albers.
Quintana allowed just one run on four hits in seven innings. He walked one and struck out six. It's the left-hander's 23rd quality start - at least six innings pitched and three runs or less - this season.
A's starter Sean Nolin also got a no-decision, allowing two runs on five hits in five innings to get the loss in his third start since being recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Sept. 4.
Second baseman Brett Lawrie, who started the ninth-inning rally with a one-out double, had three hits.
The A's grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third inning as a couple of former White Sox produced against their former team. Catcher Josh Phegley led off with a double and came around to score on a single two outs later by shortstop Marcus Semien.
Chicago tied the score in the fourth on a solo homer by Olt. It's the second straight game that Olt - who was picked up by the White Sox at the beginning of the month - has homered.
The White Sox then grabbed a 2-1 lead in the fifth on an RBI single by left fielder Melky Cabrera, scoring second baseman Micah Johnson, who had reached on a walk.
NOTES: White Sox OF Trayce Thompson missed his third straight game with a hyperextended left elbow. "Every time he starts doing something he'll feel a little something," manager Robin Ventura said. "I don't really want him in there if it's going to change anything about his swing and how he plays." ... Athletics OF Billy Burns (right hamstring) planned to run sprints on Thursday to test whether his leg is ready for game action. The hope is he'll return sometime during the weekend series in Houston. ... Burns leads all major league rookies in stolen bases with 26. ... Heading into the game, LHP Jose Quintana was third in the AL with 22 quality starts this season. ... Before Thursday, Oakland starters were 6-18 with a 6.26 ERA over the last 33 games dating back to Aug. 11. ... The Athletics have used a franchise record 29 pitchers already this season. ... LHP Chris Sale, second in the majors with 250 strikeouts, pitches Friday and is within striking distance of the White Sox record of 269 by Ed Walsh in 1908.