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The A's saved themselves in the 13th with a two pretty defensive plays. Catcher Kurt Suzuki caught pinch-runner Lillibridge well off second base, then shortstop Cliff Pennington chased down Alex Rios' double that skipped into the Oakland bullpen and made a quick throw to Sogard, who then relayed to Suzuki just in time to get a sliding Gordon Beckham.
Konerko's fourth homer of the year spoiled an impressive A's debut by Jarrod Parker, who struck out five in 6 1-3 innings following his call-up from Triple-A Sacramento.
The 23-year-old Parker, making just his second career start, exhibited the poise and improved command the A's hoped he would after sending him down this spring to work some things out.
Reddick's two-out double to right-center in the sixth brought home speedy leadoff hitter Jemile Weeks, who started the rally with a one-out single. Cespedes followed with an RBI single.
The White Sox responded with Kosuke Fukudome's RBI double in the seventh that Cespedes got his glove on in center but couldn't control, and Rios just beat a late throw home to Suzuki.
But Chicago missed a chance to tie it when Fukudome was caught stealing on a squeeze attempt after Morel couldn't deliver a bunt on a 2-1 count.
"It's like you've seen that hundreds of times, long games and anything happens," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said.
He knows his team will return home for a seven-game homestand to plenty of fanfare as the Red Sox arrive for four. Humber starts Thursday's series opener.
"It's nice. I don't know how long it lasts," Ventura said of good feelings still surrounding Humber. "It was a good bonding thing for the team."
Home plate umpire Jerry Layne took a foul from Escobar off the left shoulder in the fifth and was briefly examined by the A's training staff before staying in the game. Layne returned to the box and playfully grabbed Escobar's bat and jokingly pretending to swing it.
NOTES: Rios went 3 for 5 with two doubles and an intentional walk a day after having his 11-game hitting streak snapped. ... Chicago starter Chris Sale pitched a career-high eight innings.
[Associated Press;
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