Andrus’ 2-run double caps 5-run 9th, White Sox beat A’s 5-3 originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Chicago White Sox have done some yelling. They’ve tried out plenty of good-natured teasing. They’ve had heart-to-hearts.
After a rough start this season, things are suddenly clicking in September when it matters most for the reigning AL Central champions as Chicago tries to win consecutive division titles for the first time.
And the White Sox are winning with manager Tony La Russa sidelined by a health issue.
Elvis Andrus hit a tiebreaking double against his former team with two outs in a five-run ninth inning, and the White Sox — held hitless until the seventh — rallied past the Oakland Athletics 5-3 on Friday night.
“I think the attitude in here has been a little bit more yelling at each other, which I think is one of the things that we thrive upon,” closer Liam Hendriks said. “And it’s obviously paying dividends the last few games. As you see we’re having fun, we’re cheering each other on, it’s no dead spots in the dugout. We just kind of make fun of everybody and it kind of flows into it. Those positive vibes will completely change the course of a season.”
Eloy Jimenez started the comeback from a 3-0 deficit with a one-out homer against A.J. Puk (3-2), who issued a walk and plunked a batter. Andrew Vaughn added an RBI single and Romy Gonzalez delivered a tying single with two outs.
Oakland challenged that pinch-runner Adam Engel was out at the plate on the throw home, but the safe call was confirmed after a replay review.
“They don’t give up,” White Sox acting manager Miguel Cairo said. “And they believe that we can do it. We don’t give up. That’s the phrase that Tony used: `Never give up.'”
Andrus, released by the A’s last month, then hit a two-run double to left field that put Chicago ahead 5-3.
“One of the good benefits of playing your old team is I know a lot of the tendencies of the pitchers, especially Puk,” Andrus said. “I’ve been behind him a lot, and I know how he approaches hitters in different situations. So I had my plan, and I was really glad that he threw me the fastball there and I was able to put a good swing on it.”
Hendriks, another former A’s star, closed it out with a big fist pump after his 32nd save. Aaron Bummer (2-1) pitched the eighth for the win.
“These are games that earlier in the year we didn’t win,” Hendriks said.
Oakland’s Austin Pruitt pitched five no-hit innings as a fill-in starter….