CHICAGO, May 1 (UPI) -- With the tying runs on base in the ninth inning Thursday night, Chicago Manager Jerry Manuel pulled closer Billy Koch and turned over the game to Damaso Marte, who promptly retired Eric Chavez to preserve a 7-5 victory for the White Sox over the Oakland Athletics.
Chicago took a 7-5 lead into the ninth and Manuel went to Koch, who has struggled since being acquired from Oakland in the offseason. Koch, who entered the game with an 8.25 ERA, walked Ramon Hernandez before retiring the next two batters.
When Erubiel Durazo singled to put the tying run on base, Manuel yanked the veteran righthander in favor of Marte. Koch, visibly frustrated, fired his glove into the stands as he walked from the mound.
Marte fell behind Chavez, 2-0, but the A's slugger -- who had homered earlier -- grounded the reliever's next offering to second base for the final out. It was Marte's second save and gave Chicago just its fourth win in 11 games.
White Sox starter Jon Garland (2-2) notched the win despite five shaky innings. The 23-year-old righthander allowed five runs and four hits in five innings.
Oakland starter John Halama (1-2) was tagged for six runs and nine hits in 3 1/3 innings.
