CHICAGO -- White Sox left-hander Chris Sale will look to snap a six-week drought between victories when he takes the mound against the Oakland Athletics on Saturday evening.Sale, whose last victory came July 2, was the first pitcher in the majors to reach 14 wins this season and started for the American League in the All-Star Game. However, the lanky southpaw is 0-4 with a 4.43 ERA in his past six starts, dropping his overall record to 14-6 with a 3.30 ERA.The White Sox (57-64) have struggled along with their ace pitcher. They have lost 14 of their last 21 games, including a 9-0 blowout defeat in Fridays series opener against Oakland (53-69).Its tough, White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier said. I think everybody understands their role, I think everybody understands being a professional. Thats when youve got to come together. We talked the other day about understanding that its OK, were going to lose, were not going to win every game. But (keep) playing hard, going hard every day, diving for that ball, hustling out that at-bat and focusing on that kind of stuff, and hopefully the tides will change.The As will send journeyman left-hander Ross Detwiler (1-1, 4.15 ERA) to the mound against the White Sox. The 30-year-old southpaw started the season with the Cleveland Indians before he was designated for assignment. In two starts for Oakland, he is 1-1 with a 3.55 ERA.Detwiler has faced the White Sox only twice in his nine-year career. Both of those appearances came in relief, with Detwiler allowing two runs on three hits in 2 2/3 innings.Sales winless streak has included a mix of bad performances and bad luck, not to mention a bizarre incident in which he reportedly sliced his teams throwback jerseys before a game because he thought they were uncomfortable. The White Sox suspended Sale for five days because of the outburst, but they elected not to move him before the Aug. 1 trade deadline.On paper, Sale would appear to have an advantage against the As up-and-down offense. He is 4-2 with a 3.04 ERA in 11 appearances (six starts) against Oakland during his career, including a victory April 4 in which he limited the As to three runs in seven innings.However, Oakland erupted for nine runs Friday to match its most lopsided win of the season. Khris Davis, Stephen Vogt and Yonder Alonso all went deep as the As snapped a five-game losing streak.Oakland manager Bob Melvin is making plans to be without reliable shortstop Marcus Semien soon. Semiens wife is nine months pregnant, and her due date is Saturday.Whenever the baby arrives, Semiens long streak of consecutive games will come to an end. He has started 124 consecutive games, which is the second-longest active streak in the majors.Its impressive, Melvin said. Ive seen guys play and play and play a lot of times out of necessity, and they look run down some. But he never does. . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. .S. Open champion Justin Rose birdied the first hole with a blind shot he hit to a foot of the pin, and he stayed in front Tuesday until he completed a 4-under 67 for a two-shot lead over Jason Dufner in PGA Grand Slam of Golf. . - Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings was speaking to a group of local high school students earlier this week when the conversation turned to the importance of being prepared when opportunities in life arise. . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. . Jane Virtanen scored two, and Alex Roach and Elliott Peterson rounded out the offence for the Hitmen (40-15-6). Brady Brassart chipped in with three assists. Colton McCarthy scored twice, Brayden Point had a goal and two assists, and Jack Rodewald also scored for the Warriors (15-35-9), who were 2 for 5 on the power play.George North is convinced nice guy Dylan Hartley is the right man to lead England into their Six Nations campaign. Hartley was handed the captaincy by new England head coach Eddie Jones, despite disciplinary problems which have seen the Northampton Saints hooker miss 54 weeks of rugby through various suspensions. But Saints team-mate and Wales international North says Hartley - whose first test as England skipper comes against Scotland on Saturday - has all the hallmarks of a natural leader, both on and off the field. I think hes shown it before [that he is the right man for the job], North told Sky Sports. He has quality. Hes a great person and a great player.When I signed for Northampton, Dylan was one of the biggest characters. I didnt know how to take him or how to deal with him because he has this aura, this reputation. North says Hartley (pictured) is the right man to skippper England But now, being at Northampton for over two years, and understanding and getting to know Dylan, hes a completely different guy on the field to off the field.ddddddddddddOn the field, he is the guy you need to be carrying the ball hard, to put the team in the right areas and to lead from the front. But off the field he is a massive club man. He looks after one and all, whether its someone in the first year academy or in the offices. If they need help, he is the guy that always helps. Hes someone who my opinion of has completely changed, and it does so very quickly once you got to know the guy. Hes one of the funniest and most genuine guys Ive come across.George North is an ambassador for MaxiNutrition - the sports nutrition product which is recommended by experts and chosen by champions. To find out more, visit
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