White Sox at Athletics
The Oakland Athletics took advantage of a rusty Chicago White Sox team in the opener of their three-game set to give them back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Oakland looks to make it three in row when it continues the series against visiting Chicago on Tuesday.
Jed Lowrie drove in three runs and Matt Olson homered in Monday's 8-1 triumph as the Athletics returned home from a 3-5 road trip. Lowrie has recorded 10 RBIs over his last five games and hit safely in nine of his last 11 contests. Chicago was limited to six hits as it was in action for the first time since Thursday due to a snowstorm in Minnesota that wiped out its three contests over the weekend. Jose Abreu belted his fourth home run of the season in the ninth inning as the White Sox avoided being shut out but lost for the ninth time in 11 games after winning their first two of 2018.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), NBCS California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Miguel Gonzalez (0-2, 8.68 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Trevor Cahill (2017: 4-3, 4.93)
Gonzalez will be pitching for the first time since April 9 as his scheduled turn in Minnesota on Saturday was wiped away by a snowstorm. The 33-year-old Mexican's second career stint with Chicago has gotten off to a rough start as he has surrendered 10 runs (nine earned) and 16 hits over 9 1/3 innings in his first two outings - both losses. Gonzalez has yet to defeat Oakland in his career, going 0-3 with a 4.11 ERA in five starts and one relief appearance.
Cahill will be summoned from Triple-A Nashville to begin his second tour of duty with Oakland after signing a one-year contract last month. The 30-year-old Californian, who began his career with the Athletics in 2009 but split last season between San Diego and Kansas City, surrendered five runs and four hits with seven walks and 10 strikeouts over 9 2/3 innings in two starts for the Sounds. Cahill has made nine starts and three relief appearances against Chicago in his career, going 1-3 with a 4.21 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Athletics activated Chad Pinder (knee) from the disabled list on Monday and assigned fellow INF Franklin Barreto to Nashville.
2. Chicago C Kevan Smith (ankle) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte in the near future.
3. Oakland RHP Paul Blackburn (forearm) is slated to begin a throwing program on Friday.