Oakland @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 8, 2013 ) Oakland 1, Chi. White Sox 4

The Chicago White Sox received the necessary ingredients - a well-pitched game and timely hitting - to halt their recent skid and can salvage a four-game split when they host the Oakland Athletics in Sunday's series finale. Chicago won for only the second time in 12 games Saturday and beat the Athletics for the first time in six meetings. Saturday's 4-1 victory marked only the second time in the past dozen games that the White Sox limited their opponent to two runs or fewer.

Oakland maintained its half-game lead atop the AL West despite Saturday's loss. It continues to pile up quality outings from the starting rotation, but one of the few noticeable weaknesses during the current 18-4 streak has been in the bullpen, specifically Sean Doolittle. The left-hander had another rocky outing in Saturday's loss, giving up three runs in one-third of an inning. He has surrendered 10 runs in his last five appearances after giving up two runs in his first 23.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet California (Oakland), Comcast SportsNet Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH A.J. Griffin (5-4, 3.67 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Hector Santiago (1-4, 3.35)

Griffin did not factor in the decision in his last start despite one of his best efforts of the season, when he limited Milwaukee to four hits over seven scoreless innings. It was a nice bounce-back performance for the 25-year-old right-hander, who had permitted 11 runs in his previous three outings. It will be the fourth consecutive road start for Griffin, who is 3-3 away from home.

Santiago will be making his sixth overall start and first since May 22 in Boston, when he took the loss despite giving up two runs and striking out nine in six innings. He had an ugly relief effort in Oakland on June 1, walking five in 1 2/3 innings to take the loss. He was pounded for three runs and five hits in one-third of an inning versus the Athletics last year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago is starting four lefties in a series for the first time since July 21-24, 1980, at Kansas City.

2. Athletics 3B Josh Donaldson has eight RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.

3. White Sox DH Paul Konerko hit his 428th homer Saturday, good for 44th on the all-time list.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, White Sox 3