Today’s News

This Afternoon’s Game

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 L.A.

The Sox are now 4-1 on their seven-game road trip and looking for their fifth straight win.

Sox Starting Lineup: Wise, CF; Ramirez, SS; Rios, RF; Dunn, 1B; Konerko, DH; Gillaspie, 3B; Viciedo, LF; Gimenez, C; Greene, 2B.

Roster Move

RHP Deunte Heath was optioned to Class AAA Charlotte after last night’s game and LHP Donnie Veal was recalled today to replace him on the 25-man roster. Veal pitched 8.0 scoreless innings over four games with the Knights after being optioned on May 1.

New Look

The Sox will be wearing camouflage caps today, Armed Forces Day, and Memorial Day vs. the Cubs to honor our troops. The jerseys also have a touch of camo in the script Chicago on the front and in the name and number on the back.

Play of the Day

The Chris Sale Show: Chris won his fifth game of the season last night, tossing a three-hit shutout along with 12 strikeouts over 7.2 innings in the 3-0 Sox victory–his second masterpiece against the Angels in a week. Including last Sunday night’s gem, Sale worked 16.2 IP, allowing no runs, four hits, three walks, 19 K’s and held the Halos to four hits in 53 at bats in the two games. He now has a career 0.38 ERA vs. L.A. and improved to 10-0 lifetime against the A.L. West. Additionally, he has recorded 23 straight scoreless innings, the longest by a Sox starter since Mark Buehrle’s 24.2 IP in 2001.

Here’s a glimpse of Chris from last night’s outing: http://atmlb.com/Z2D0TH

Pitching In

Jesse Crain made his 16th consecutive scoreless appearance last night in relief of Sale and Addison Reed earned his 14th save.

Quote(s) of the Day

Robin on Sale:

“He’s good, we know that…This is probably the best two games that he’s had (as far as) velocity and control..He’s growing into being the guy and going out there and proving it. You go through a team a second time–their lineup is tough enough even going through it once–then you do it back-to-back in a week, it’s a feather in his cap. It just proves how good he is. He wants to get better, he wants to be in that elite group. He’s proving it.”

RV on Alex Rios having an All-Star caliber year. Alex has smashed go-ahead homers each of the last two nights, giving him a total of 10, and has now hit in 12 consecutive games:

“He (was outstanding) last year. This is nothing new for us as far as him doing a lot of different things…Power-wise, getting on base, stealing bases, playing the outfield…he has a lot of talent. We know it, I think other people are starting to see it.”

The skipper on Conor Gillaspie, who drove in the second Sox run of the game in the seventh with a clutch, two-out single and is now hitting .295:

“He just makes good contact, he has a pretty simple approach. It was a big hit for us.”

Tomorrow’s Schedule

White Sox vs. Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim (3:35 p.m. CT, CSN). Starters: Jake Peavy (5-1) for the Sox, Jason Vargas (2-3) for Los Angeles.

Did You Know…

…that the White Sox now lead the American League in ERA (3.41)?

Photo/Video of the Day

Adam Dunn has hit four homers in the last four games and 10 on the season. Here’s his ninth-inning solo shot last night.

htatmlb.com/Z2yq7Z

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.

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?c_id=cws&gid=2013_05_16_chamlb_anamlb_1&lang=en&content_id=27181363&mode=video

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.

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.

Today’s News

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

Today’s News

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.

atmlb.com/123XMi8 

 

Robin Debriefs ESPN

 

Prior to tonight’s game, RV met with a small army of ESPN broadcasters, reporters and producers to talk about the team’s season to date and this evening’s starter Chris Sale. Among his comments, Ventura confirmed just how much losing Gordon Beckham has hurt the team’s defense.

 

Wells vs. Wilson

 

It’s no wonder why Sox outfielder Casper Wells is in the lineup tonight against C.J. Wilson. In his career, Wells has gone 4-9 (.444) with two doubles, two homers, two RBI and three walks (.583 OBP and 1.333 SLG).

 

White Sox Weekly

 

Listen to Chris Rongey interview White Sox VP/Assistant GM Buddy Bell.

chicago.cbslocal.com/?podcast_url=h… 

 

Quote of the Day

 

 

Play of the Day

 

Jose Quintana had another solid outing last night in the 3-2 loss to the Angels, working six 

innings and allowing two earned runs, five hits and a walk while striking out five. On top of that, Quintana executed a perfect pickoff play to surprise L.A. standout Mike Trout.

 

Tomorrow’s Schedule

 

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 the Twins.

 

Did You Know…

 

…that brothers John and Jordan Danks were both in the lineup this afternoon for the Class AAA Charlotte Knights vs. the visiting Pawtucket Red Sox? John, in another rehab stint, earned the victory with six innings of work, allowing two earned runs, seven hits, three walks and five strikeouts. Jordan, just optioned to the Knights by the Sox, certainly had his brother’s back with a pair of hits, three RBI and an outstanding catch in centerfield in the 6- 4 win.

 

Photo of the Day

 

A Mother’s Day surprise: Navy petty officer Amanda Page surprises her mother Ginny right before mom was set to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before last night’s game. They hadn’t seen each other for more than 16 months. See more:  

http://atmlb.com/18Dm2gm

 

Today’s News

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. 

http:/atmlb.com/18zNGL5