Rogers in Nicer Neighborhood

It’s only May, and already Kenny Rogers has won as often as any Oakland starter did all of last season.

“I wouldn’t have been given the chance to stay around in this kind of game last year,” said Rogers, who was touched for 11 hits and five runs in 5 2/3 innings Saturday, but hung around long enough to earn his sixth win in Oakland’s 15-7 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

“That’s what I appreciate about being here,” said the former Yankees pitcher, who was traded in the off-season to the Athletics for Scott Brosius. “If they see you struggle, they give you a chance to work things out. Last year I would have been out of there pretty quick.”

Last year’s top-winning A’s starter, Ariel Prieto, was 6-8. Rogers (6-1), who has won five consecutive starts, has five more months to beat that.

Rogers tied Texas’ Rick Helling for the AL lead in wins.

“I was just hoping I could get him through five innings with the lead,” Oakland Manager Art Howe said. “Then he went out and got two more outs for us.”

Matt Stairs paced a 17-hit barrage with a home run, two doubles and six RBIs, trying his career high.

The A’s broke open the game with a six-run eighth off James Baldwin, recently dropped from the rotation.

“I’ve got to learn how to come out of the bullpen,” Baldwin said.

Chicago Manager Jerry Manuel watched his team commit two key errors behind Jason Bere (1-4).

“We’re not good enough right now to overcome those lapses,” Manuel said. “In order for us to be a good team, we’re eventually going to have to get people out.”

Oakland scored three runs in the fourth inning off Bere to take the lead for good.

The White Sox drew to within 8-7 in the seventh inning on Chad Kreuter’s two-run single off Mike Fetters, Oakland’s fifth pitcher of the inning.

Fetters pitched out of the inning and got the final seven outs for his first save.

NEXT SERIES FOR ANGELS

WHO: Chicago White Sox

WHERE: at Comiskey Park

WHEN: Tuesday 5 p.m., Wednesday, 5 p.m.