The White Sox started the week off, and season, with a wild offensive outburst. The Sox trounced the division rival Cleveland Indians 15 to 10. The Sox wasted no time showcasing the new offense and scored right away in the first and followed up with runs in the 3rd, 4th and 8th. Carlos Quentin lead the way with 1 homer and 5 RBIs and missing the cycle by a triple, also homering was new DH Adam Dunn. Mark Buehrle’s 9th Opening Day start lead to improving on his Opening Day record to 4-1, he went 6 innings and surrendered 4 earned runs on 8 hits and 1 BB. The one blemish on this was Will Ohman who was more the Oh-Man!! Kind of pitcher as he went .2 innings and surrendered 3 earned runs on 3 hits, including 2 homers.
Game 2 of the 3 game series at Progressive Field again began in the Sox favor as they scored right out of the gate and continued the scoring in the 2nd, 6th and 7th for an 8 to 3 win. This was the first 2-0 start for the Sox since ’05, when they won the first 2 on the road. All starters reached base with Alex Rios the only without a hit. Edwin Jackson hit some rough spots as he walked 4 in his 6 innings, Ozzie said “During the last couple of innings he settled down very well” of Jackson’s start. Jackson only surrendered 2 earned runs and was able to pitch around the 4 walks and 5 hits very well, he also struck out 7. Chris Sale pitched a perfect inning in the win, fanning 2 and Sergio Santos got his 2nd season off on the right foot with a scoreless 1.2 innings.
The Sox dropped the finale 7-1. In the previous 2 games the table setters, Juan Pierre and Gordon Beckham went … in contrast both of them were 0/3 in this game and its effect was felt through the Sox line-up. The killer blow was a triple play which Alexei Ramirez bunted into. Offensive bright spots were AJ Pierzynski and Omar Vizquel as they each reached base twice. John Danks, as expected, pitched well enough to win going 6 innings scattering 6 hits and 2 runs, while striking out 8. Will Ohman was bad once again giving up 3 earned runs in 1.1 innings. Fifth starter Phil Humber wasn’t able to even record an out before his 2 runs crossed the plate. Closer Matt Thornton came in to the game in order to get some work and went .2 innings and walked one and gave up 1 hit.
On Deck:
The White Sox will begin a 2 game series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City against Division rival Royals. The Royals are coming off a 3-1 series win vs. the LA Angels of Anaheim of California of America of Earth. The probable pitchers are;
Tuesday, Gavin Floyd RHP (0-0, 0.00) @ Luke Hochevar (0-1, 4.76);
Gavin Floyd is 3-7 in his career with a 4.79 ERA vs. the Royals and Hochevar is 3-3 with a 3.65 ERA against the Sox
Wednesday, Mark Buehrle LHP ( 1-0, 6.00) @ Jeff Francis LHP (0-0, 1.29) In his career Mark is 21-11 with a 3.57 ERA vs. the Royals and Francis is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA vs. the Sox.
Jake Peavy update:
Peavy threw 59 pitches in a simulated game over 4 innings at Camelback Ranch in Arizona. He worked primarily on fastball command. Next up for Peavy is a Friday start for Double-A Birmingham at Montgomery, Ala., where he hopes to work five innings and throw 75 pitches.
Don’t forget to listen here or on PaleandHosed.com on Tuesdays and Fridays for the new Pale and Hosed episode where we’ll discuss these match-up’s further.