OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — With Rickey Henderson in the house for a festive day celebrating Dave Stewart, Tony Kemp accomplished something even the base-stealing Hall of Famer didn’t.
Kemp became the first leadoff hitter in Oakland history with a home run, triple and four runs scored as the Athletics beat the Chicago White Sox 10-3 on Sunday to avoid a winless homestand.
Bert Campaneris did it with Kansas City A’s.
“I had no idea,” Kemp said. “But to especially do something at the leadoff spot that Rickey Henderson held for such a long time is definitely a humbling accolade but I’m just happy that we got the win.”
Ramón Laureano hit a two-run homer and Vimael Machin hit a two-run double in the decisive fifth inning to back Cole Irvin’s second straight winning decision to help the A’s snap a five-game losing streak.
Defending AL Central champion Chicago had a four-game winning streak end with just the club’s third loss in 12 games as it chases first-place Cleveland in the division race down the September stretch.
Acting manager Miguel Cairo left the Bay Area pleased as his club concluded a seven-game road trip.
“It was awesome to see guys battle every day, hit, come back being down,” Cairo said. “We did everything the right way. Good pitching. That was a really good trip.”
Machin delivered in the A’s six-run sixth moments after a tying single by Kemp, who homered in the sixth and finished with three hits. Seth Brown hit an RBI double in the first against Johnny Cueto (7-8) lost for the first time in six career starts against Oakland.
Irvin (8-11) allowed three runs — two earned — on four hits, struck out five and walked two over seven impressive innings.
A’s outfielder Chad Pinder was ejected after the first inning when he came out to confront third base umpire Edwin Moscoso and had to be restrained by Machin. Pinder certainly was still upset about a foul ball call moments earlier down the left-field foul line when he thought he had an RBI single. The A’s challenged the call and it was confirmed as foul.
Manager Mark Kotsay also ran out to argue but stayed in the game.
Cueto was tagged for seven runs, five earned, on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings.
A moment of silence was held to remember Sept. 11 victims.
STEW’S DAY
Stewart became the sixth A’s player to have his number retired, his No. 34 in the upper deck rafters alongside fellow No. 34 Rollie Fingers.
“This is different than pitching I’ll tell you that,” Stewart said, greeted by chants of “Stew!” during a pregame ceremony.
“… It was a pleasure to play in Oakland for you, to grow up in Oakland for who I am what I’ll always be is an Oakland native, thank you,” he said.
Stewart — the 1989 World Series MVP and four-time 20-game winner — threw out the ceremonial first pitch to his former catcher, Terry Steinbach.
White Sox manager Tony La Russa, who has been out of the dugout for nearly two weeks and is recovering from having a pacemaker inserted for his heart, rejoined his Chicago club to be part of the ceremony for the former A’s ace on La Russa’s Oakland staff.
Reggie Jackson, Dennis Eckersley, Mark McGwire and Henderson also were part of the festivities.
TRAINER’S ROOM
White Sox: SS Tim Anderson, who had surgery last month to repair a tear in his left middle finger, will see a hand specialist Tuesday to determine when he might be able to return. Cairo remains hopeful Anderson could return this year. … 3B Yoán Moncada had a day off to rest as a precaution given he had played five straight since coming back from the injured list with a strained left hamstring.
Athletics: RHP Daulton Jefferies underwent a second Tommy John surgery Friday in Los Angeles performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. The procedure also included moving the ulnar nerve. Jefferies previously had the ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in 2017. This time, the recovery period is expected to be approximately 16 months, according to A’s athletic trainer Nick Paparesta. … RHP James Kaprielian is in line to start Thursday in his first outing since being scratched Friday. He cut the middle finger of his pitching hand Thursday night when he hit it against a wall putting on his shirt. Kaprielian played catch and is scheduled to throw a bullpen Tuesday. … Laureano replaced Pinder. Laureano was supposed to have his first day off since returning Tuesday from the injured list and a strained left oblique that sidelined him Aug. 15.
ROSTER MOVES
A’s RHP Brent Honeywell was reinstated from the 60-day injured list, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas. Additionally, Oakland selected RHP Collin Wiles from Triple-A Las Vegas and designated RHP Domingo Tapia for assignment.
UP NEXT
After Monday’s off day, RHP Michael Kopech (4-9, 3.78 ERA) takes the ball for Chicago back home against Colorado.
LHP Ken Waldichuk (0-1, 3.60) pitches for the A’s in their series opener at Texas on Tuesday.
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