Sale, Sox Go For Fourth Straight Win
Friday, May 17, 2013
Today’s News
Tonight’s Game
White Sox vs. Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim (9:05 pm., CT, CSN). A rematch of last Sunday night’s starters: Chris Sale (4-2) for the Sox, C.J. Wilson (3-2) for the Angels.
Sale, of course, was dominant on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball in his last outing, pitching a complete game one-hitter in the 3-0 Sox victory. Over his last five starts, Chris has allowed two earned runs or less and worked 7.0-plus innings pitched. He also owns a 15.1 scoreless IP streak and has faced 61 consecutive batters without giving up a walk.
Furthermore, Sale is 9-0 with a 2.79 ERA lifetime vs. the American League West. The nine-game winning streak is the longest among active pitchers vs. the division.
Sox Starting Lineup: De Aza, CF; Ramirez, SS; Rios, RF; Konerko, DH; Dunn, 1B; Viciedo, LF; Keppinger, 2B; Gillaspie, 3B; Flowers, C.
Jake in Spotlight
Jake Peavy, off to a great start with his 5-1 record and 2.96 ERA, was an in-studio guest this afternoon on the CBS Sports Network’s Jim Rome Show. Jake faces the Angels on Sunday.
Sports and Marketing Career Fair
Play of the Day
Alex Rios’s homer in the fourth inning that broke a scoreless tie in the Sox’s 5-4 victory. The solo blast was estimated at 440 feet.
Quote of the Day
Robin spoke about Adam Dunn’s offensive resurgence as the Sox slugger followed up his two-homer performance on Wednesday, going 2-4 with a double and an RBI last night:
“I think it’s his at bats…He hit a hard ball to left-center, the double, then knocking in the run. Those are important when you continue to add those day after day.”
Tomorrow’s Schedule
White Sox vs. Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim (3:05 p.m., CT, FOX). Starters: Hector Santiago (1-2) for the Sox, Joe Blanton (0-7) for the Halos.
Did You Know…
…that White Sox starting pitchers lead the American League in ERA (3.55) and are 10-6 with a 2.88 ERA and 17 quality starts over the last 26 games? During that 26-game span, the starters lead the league in ERA, opponents average (.219), opponents on-base percentage (.294), WHIP (1.07) and baserunners per 9.0 innings pitched (9.96).
Photo of the Day
Happy Birthday to former Sox star Carlos May, believed to be the only athlete in history to wear his birthday on the back of his uniform.
Four-Game Set vs. Angels Up Next After Sox Take Series From Twins
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Today’s News
Tonight’s Game
White Sox vs. Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim (9:05 p.m., CT, CSN). Starters: Jose Quintana (2-1) for the Sox, Jerome Williams (2-1) for L.A.
Sox Starting Lineup: De Aza, CF; Ramirez, SS; Rios, RF; Dunn, 1B; Konerko, DH; Gillaspie, 3B; Viciedo, LF; Keppinger, 2B; Flowers, C.
On Fire
Dayan Viciedo, who homered and drove in a pair of runs in yesterday’s 9-4 win over the Twins, is hitting .469 with four doubles, two home runs and eight RBI in his last 10 games. He returned to the lineup on May 10 after a stint on the disabled list.
Rehab Report
Infielder Angel Sanchez, who has been on the DL with a lower back injury, has joined the rehabbing Gordon Beckham at Class AAA Charlotte. John Danks, on the DL since March 22, will be making his next start for Charlotte Saturday at Buffalo. It will be his fourth rehab start.
Quote of the Day
Adam Dunn to whitesox.com on his recent turnaround at the plate:
“I feel great. My body feels great. Everything feels like it’s supposed to…the last couple of days we tinkered with some things and I’ve hit some balls good. Hopefully it’s the start of something good.”
Play of the Day
Somewhat overlooked by Dunn’s pair of homers. Alex Rios extended his hitting streak to 10 games yesterday with a triple, two singles and three runs scored in yesterday’s victory. He is hitting .390 with two homers and seven RBI during the streak.
Tomorrow’s Schedule
White Sox vs. Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim (9:05 p.m., CT, CSN). Starters: Chris Sale (4-2) for the Sox, C.J. Wilson (3-2) for the Halos.
Did You Know…
…that after a stretch of playing 15 of 18 games on the road, the Sox will play 17 of 23 games in Chicago (including two games at Wrigley Field) from May 20 to June 12? The home opponents will be the Red Sox, Marlins, Cubs, A’s and Blue Jays. The road foes will be the Cubs, A’s and Mariners.
Photo of the Day
One of the league’s top relievers this season, Jesse Crain heads into the Angels series with a 14-game scoreless streak over 13.1 innings. He has recorded an outstanding 1.00 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 18 innings.
Bombs Away!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Peavy vs. Twins Usually Equals Good Results
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
White Sox Target Twins After Sale Gem
Monday, May 13, 2013
Today’s News
Tonight’s Game
White Sox vs. Twins at Target Field, Minneapolis (7:10 p.m., CT, CSN). Starters: Hector Santiago (1-1) for the Sox, Pedro Hernandez (1-0) for Minnesota.
Sox Starting Lineup: De Aza, CF; Ramirez, SS; Rios, RF; Viciedo, DH; Dunn, 1B; Keppinger, 3B; Wells, LF; Flowers, C; Greene, 2B.
Sale and History
As a result of his magnficent outing in last night’s 3-0 victory over the Angels, Sale is the 12th Sox pitcher to throw a shutout while allowing one hit with no walks or hit batters, and just the sixth since 1958 to equal those numbers when facing 27 or 28 hitters.
The five others since ’58 are: Billy Pierce (6/27/58, 3-0 vs. Washington), Gary Peters (7/15/63, 4-0 vs. Baltimore), LaMarr Hoyt (5/2/84, 3-0 vs. New York Yankees), Floyd Bannister (9/13/87, 2-0 at Seattle) and Zach Stewart (9/5/11, 4-0 at Minnesota).
Sale also joined St. Louis’ Shelby Miller, Boston’s Jon Lester and the New York Mets’ Matt Harvey who worked 9.0 scoreless innings and allowed no more than one batter to reach base via a hit, walk or HBP this month. This is the first time in the modern era (since 1900) that four pitchers have accomplished the feat in a single month.
Back to Reality
Last night, Chris was enjoying the fruits of his labor. This morning, he was off to the dentist to have an abscessed tooth pulled. Don’t worry, it won’t affect his next start.
My Personal “Wow” Pitching Performances
Last night’s overpowering one-hitter by left-hander Chris Sale got me thinking about how lucky I have been during my 23 seasons with the White Sox and how many awesome pitching performances I have been fortunate enough to witness. According to the record books, there have been two perfect games, two other no-hitters, five one-hitters and 10 outings with 13 or more strikeouts during my time with the Sox.
So, if you’ll allow me, here are my personal Top 10 White Sox pitching outings since 1991. Hopefully the list will bring back a lot of good memories for Sox fans:
10. You can’t have a list without mentioning Jack McDowell, who threw a one-hitter at Milwaukee in July 1991. Mr. Complete Game from 1991-93, Jack won the Cy Young Award in leading the Sox to the division title in 1993.
9. Javier Vazquez struck out 13 to beat the Royals in 2007. There were nights when he was unhittable.
8. Jason Bere’s 14-strikeout performance on June 28, 1995 at Minnesota. His second 14-strikeout effort in consecutive seasons.
7. Alex Fernandez’s one-hitter on May 4, 1992 vs. Milwaukee. He, too, was dealing.
6. Sale’s 15-strikeout performance at Tampa Bay on May 28, 2012. He fell just one strikeout short of Jack Harshman’s club record. I sense Chris likes pitching in front of friends and family.
5. Chris Sale last night. Just electric.
4. Mark Buehrle’s no-hitter vs. Texas in 2007. First, we were amazed that a pitcher with stuff like Buehrle would throw a no-hitter, and then came that day in 2009!
3. Philip Humber’s Perfect Game in Seattle last April. Great guy. Truly sorry it hasn’t gone better for Philip.
2. Wilson Alvarez’s no-hitter in Baltimore on August 11, 1991. It was an amazing story as he was just up from Class AA, his first White Sox start. I had just worked for the White Sox for 20 days and this was my first trip on the road with the team. It also happened to be my first wedding anniversary (note to others: if you are going to work in baseball DON’T get married during the season). My wife and I spent the entire night in the hotel room answering phone calls from Venezuela. We ate room service.
1. Mark Buehrle’s Perfect Game of July 23, 2009, of course. Nothing comes close.
Honorable mention for me was a performance by an opponent, Bret Saberhagen of KC on August 26, 1991. Moreso than the no-hitter by Minnesota’s Francisco Liriano, what I remember most from this game was just how dominating Saberhagen was. You had a sense after just two innings–a little bit like you did with Sale last night–that there was a chance for something special. And although we took the loss, you just had to be impressed by his performance that night. I don’t think a pitch ever came up above the knees. It was my second no-hitter in five weeks on the job and I thought, “Man, this is easy …”
On the Way Back
Gordon Beckham, recovering from a broken bone in his left wrist, took flips in the batting cage today and said he felt great. Of course, that makes all of us feel great. Can’t wait to get him healthy and back in the lineup.
Play of the Day
What else? Here’s Sale in action during last night’s virtuoso performance.
http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=27081555&topic_id=28033182&c_id=cws
Quote of the Day
Tuesday’s White Sox starter Jake Peavy stepped out into the Sox dugout on Sunday and immediately zipped up his jacket.
“Wow,” he said. “I just looked at the weather for Tuesday in Minneapolis, and it’s supposed to be 90 degrees. That’s like a 50-degree change. Crazy.”
Tomorrow’s Schedule
White Sox vs. Twins at Target Field, Minneapolis (7:10, CT, WCIU). Starters: Jake Peavy (4-1) for the Sox, Kevin Correia (4-1) for Minnesota.
Did You Know…
…that as a result of last night’s win, Robin became the 27th White Sox manager to collect at least 100 victories?
Photo/Video of the Day
Sale was last night’s headliner, but Alexei Ramirez’s clutch two-out, two-run single in the seventh inning got the Sox on the scoreboard in what had been a scoreless deadlock.
http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=27080573&topic_id=8879206&c_id=cws
ESPN Sunday Night Baseball: Mother’s Day Edition
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Today’s News
Tonight’s Game
White Sox vs. Angels at U.S. Cellular Field (7:05 p.m., CT, ESPN). Starters: Chris Sale (3-2) for the Sox, C.J. Wilson (3-1) for the Halos.
Sox Starting Lineup: De Aza, CF; Ramirez, SS; Rios, RF; Konerko, 1B; Viciedo, DH; Keppinger, 3B; Wells, LF; Flowers, C; Greene, 2B.
Memories
Ron KIttle, the A.L. Rookie of the Year in 1983, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before tonight’s game as part of the on-going celebration of the ’83 “Winning Ugly” Sox. Here, Kitty reminisces about that championship season.
Sox Look to Give Robin his 100th Victory as Skipper
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Today’s News
Tonight’s Game
White Sox vs. Angels at U.S. Cellular Field (6:10 p.m., CT, WGN). Starters: Jose Quintana (2-0) for the Sox, Jerome Williams (1-1) for L.A.
Sox Starting Lineup: De Aza, CF; Ramirez, SS; Rios, RF; Konerko, DH; Dunn, 1B; Viciedo, LF; Keppinger, 3B; Flowers, C; Greene, 2B.
Robin
A victory tonight will give RV his 100th win as manager of the Sox.
Kitty
Ron Kittle, the 1983 American League Rookie of the Year, will be the next member of the ’83 “Winning Ugly” Sox to throw out the ceremonial first pitch during our season-long Sunday tribute to the A.L. West championship team. Kitty will do the honors tomorrow night before the nationally televised game vs. the Angels on ESPN.
Good Works
The White Sox Volunteer Corps along with Sox players Alex Rios and Matt Thornton, pitching coach Don Cooper and broadcaster Darrin Jackson were out in full force today at the Park Manor Elementary School in Chicago. Here’s Alex, Matt and two volunteers doing their part to beautify the school.
Quote of the Day
Sox GM Rick Hahn on the club’s early season performance. The bottom line? Keep the faith:
“We did feel going into the season that starting pitching was going to be one of our strengths and thus far it’s been tested, but it’s also been proven to be one of the strengths, which is nice…We have been disappointed the way things have started from an offensive standpoint and even defensively has been a little bit erratic and not up to the standards we set last year. That being said, we do have a fair amount of guys with some substantial track records behind them which gives you reason to believe that there will be some improvement back toward those career norms. We are talking about a team that last year was fourth in the league in runs scored and there’s no reason to believe that this permutation of that team with some improvements in some areas and a lot of the same personnel in others is going to wind up at the bottom of the league in runs scored. So we expect there to be a correction fairly soon, but thus far it’s been disappointing and it’s time to get going.
“…You always want to make sure you’re doing everything you can to try to push that magic button and make that move that’s going to solve whatever problem may be in front of you, whether it’s a health standpoint, or depth or the bench or as we just talked about, our offense. You do have to try to let things unfold and give guys the chance to show their true colors and their true performance levels over an extended period of time. Obviously you don’t wait for that indefinitely and you don’t spend the whole summer just waiting around and hoping that things are going to get better. But this early on there’s still the expectation that guys are going to return to their previous norms.”
Play of the Day
Dayan Viciedo’s two-run double in last night’s 7-5 loss to the Angels, his first game back since returning from the DL.
Tomorrow’s Schedule
White Sox vs. Angels at U.S. Cellular Field (7:05 p.m., CT, ESPN). Chris Sale (3-2) for the Sox, C.J. Wilson (3-2) for the Halos.
Did You Know…
…that White Sox starters own a fine 2.78 ERA during the last 20 games?
Photo/Video of the Day
In last night’s game, Alejandro De Aza gave the Sox an early lead with his second consecutive leadoff home run and his seventh homer of the season.
A Big Weekend Ahead
Following the game, Harold cemented his reputation as a man of few, but powerful words. When asked by a media member if he got all of the ball with his swing, Baines famously replied, in his matter-of-fact manner, “Evidently.”
That “evidently” response became one of the most famous ever uttered on the South Side.
Fast forward to this new 30-second video for White Sox Family Sundays and you’ll see Baines deliver the line with more excitement than longtime Harold watchers can ever remember. And keep your eyes and ears on Ron Kittle at the end of the spot for a good chuckle. http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=26793781
On to the Next Round
Congrats to the Blackhawks for their convincing 5-1 win over the Wild last night to win their first round playoff series. Go Hawks!
Jake Returns
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Homecoming
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Scott Reifert
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