Keppinger, Beckham Homer; Rios, De Aza Make Triumphant Return from WBC in Victory Over Brewers

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Today’s News

Sox 8, Brewers 3

The White Sox brought their bats to the ballpark this afternoon in an 8-3 victory over the Brewers at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. In a starting lineup that could be very close to the one that opens the season on April 1, the Sox pounded out 13 hits, highlighted by a pair of home runs–a solo homer by Jeff Keppinger, his first of the spring, and a two-run shot by Gordon Beckham, his third. Keppinger, who also singled in a run and walked, raised his spring batting average to .516.

Alex Rios and Alejandro De Aza made the most of their return in their first game back from the WBC. Rios doubled twice and drove in a pair of runs along with two runs scored. De Aza singled, doubled and scored two runs.

Chris Sale got credit for the win, giving up three runs and four hits along with three strikeouts in seven innings of work. Addison Reed and Matt Thornton each pitched a scoreless inning.

Roster Moves

After today’s game, the White Sox optioned outfielders Jordan Danks and Blake Tekotte to Class AAA Charlotte. The Sox now have 34 players in major league camp: 18 pitchers, three catchers, nine infielders and four outfielders.

#MAKEANIMPACT: The Latest Commercial

Check out the fun: http://atmlb.com/11hj249 and watch what happens next at whitesox.com/pie.

Following the daily meeting with RV and Bernie (Mark Parent), we slipped a DVD of the new commercial into the clubhouse video system. Players gathered around–including PK, Dunner, Flowers and Alexei–to watch their Oscar-worthy work. The biggest laughs came when Alexei delivered his lines…”C’mon, Man” and “And that’s the way you do it” while there were a few “wows” at the images of guys getting drilled in the face with a pie (or in the case of Nate Jones, getting hit by pie remnants meant for Reed). Here are actors Jones, Reed and Sale during the shoot:

PK

Paul Konerko’s outstanding career and reputation as the consummate professional is well known throughout baseball circles. As Sox fans know, Paulie has also done exemplary work in the community. Here, in a byline story in the Sun-Times, PK talks about the importance of giving back.

http://www.suntimes.com/18984710-761/paul-konerko-on-how-hes-helping-support-chicagos-children-and-families-in-need.html
March Madness

Compare your brackets with those of John Danks, Adam Dunn, Nate Jones, Robin Ventura and Jerry Reinsdorf.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151846411948298.1073741826.45484098297&type=1
Bullpen Aces

Matt Lindstrom and Nate Jones both appeared in minor-league games today at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Lindstrom went 2.0 IP and Jones went an extended 1.0 (no specific pitch counts).

Coop said they both had very good workouts, worked on a variety of pitches and are on track to be ready for Opening Day

Quote of the Day

A group of 40-50 White Sox executives, players and staff attended a private screening last night of the new Jackie Robinson movie, “42.” Those on hand included Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, Kenny Williams, Harold Baines, Donnie Veal and several minor league players including Deunte Heath and Trayce Thompson. The Chairman, who grew up in Brooklyn as a Dodger fan at the time Robinson broke the color line, raved about the realism of actor Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey and Ebbets Field “even down to the signs on the building and outfield walls and the hot dog stand just outside the front gate.”

Here’s more on Reinsdorf’s review of “42″: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/chi-video-jerry-reinsdorf-on-jackie-robinson-after-watching-42-20130320,0,4654500.story

Play of the Day

Welcome back! Let’s give it to Rios and De Aza, who both excelled in their return to the Sox lineup.

Tomorrow’s Schedule

White Sox vs. A’s at Phoenix (9:05 p.m., Chicago time). Jose Quintana will start for the Sox. Jarrod Parker, who grew up as a Sox fan while growing up in the Fort Wayne, IN area, will be the starter for Oakland.

Did You Know…

…that Gavin Floyd is tied for the Cactus League lead in strikeouts (15) and ranks fourth in ERA (4.61)?

Photo of the Day

A look at the new ballpark in Birmingham, AL–Regions Field–home to the White Sox’s Class AA affiliate.