Results tagged ‘ Jesse Crain ’

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.

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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.

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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.

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Thanks Danks

Monday, May 6, 2013

Today’s News

The Game

Final: White Sox 2, Royals 1 (11 innnings)

Highlights: Jordan Danks’ long solo homer in the 11th proved to be the game-winner in a very sweet victory…The Sox loaded the bases in the ninth on singles by Jeff Keppinger, Alex Rios and Adam Dunn and with two outs tied the score at 1-1 on an Alexei Ramirez single…After giving up a run in the first inning and throwing 57 pitches through two, Chris Sale settled down and was superb, going 7.1 innings. He gave up just six hits, didn’t allow a walk and struck out five. His pitch count ended up at 119, tying a career high…Matt Lindstrom (0.2), Matt Thornton (1.0), Jesse Crain (1.0) and Addison Reed (1.0) pitched scoreless ball in the final 3.2 innings. Reed got credit for his 11th save.

Surgery for Gavin

Gavin Floyd will undergo season-ending surgery tomorrow in New York City to repair the ulnar collateral ligament and a torn flexor muscle in his elbow. Expected recovery time for the 30-year-old Floyd is approximately 14-19 months. Surgery will be performed by Dr. David Altchek.

Viciedo Update

Dayan, on the DL with a strained oblique, starts his 4 or 5 game rehab stint tonight with Class AAA Charlotte in Columbus, OH.

Family Field Day

White Sox fans have the opportunity to experience U.S. Cellular Field like the pros on Saturday, May 18 at Family Field Day. Our annual event provides fans the chance to play catch on the outfield grass, warm-up in the bullpens and visit the dugouts. Tickets for the event are $30 per adult and $12 per child with all proceeds benefitting White Sox Charities.

Additionally, we will be holding the Garage Sale in the Patio area from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. with free admission. The Garage Sale allows fans to shop for game-worn items including jerseys, game-used equipment, such as bats and gloves, along with other memorabilia. All sales from the Garage Sale benefit White Sox Charities.

Today we had the chance to catch up with long-time White Sox fan and Tinley Park native Shane Mosely. Shane has been attending Family Field Day for the last six years with his wife and son. This year, the couple has a newborn son that will experience U .S. Cellular Field for the first time at Family Field Day.

Upon chatting with Shane, he provided some insight about what drew him to the event and what keeps them coming back.

“Family Field Day is an atmosphere unparalleled by game days or other events” said Shane. “At Family Field Day, you have the opportunity to relax and explore U.S. Cellular Field surrounded by other families that are also passionate Sox fans.”

The event also allows a White Sox fan to experience the field from a player’s perspective, something that even the best seats don’t allow. Shane’s oldest son, now six, loves exploring the field—from the dugouts to the bullpen.

“He pretends to manage the team from the dugout; phone in calls and make base running signs. In the bullpen, he imagines himself warming up as a reliever.”

Family Field Day isn’t only for kids, though. Last year, the Mosley’s brought Shane’s father-in-law who, according to Shane, had more fun than anyone else there.

“He loved playing catch on the grass” said Shane. “He was able to feel like a ballplayer, even at his age”. 

Family Field Day has become a tradition for the Mosley’s and part of that tradition means stopping by the Garage Sale to purchase a game-used bat. Each year, they purchase a cracked bat—Shane noted they’re surprisingly affordable—as a memento of their experience.

“We’ve purchased something each year we’ve attended Family Field Day. It’s a perfect way to remember the event.”

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Play of the Day

Mr. Danks’ extra-inning blast, which proved to be the difference. It was Jordan’s second career home run and second game-winner. Last season, on August 10 against the A’s, he became the second player in franchise history to hit his first major-league homer on a game-ending blast (Dave Gallagher did it in 1988).

Quote of the Day

Jake Peavy on his health status after missing a start due to back problems:

“I think we’re all on point to go on Wednesday night (against the Mets). I’m super excited about that. Can’t thank our training staff, Herm (Schneider) and A.T. (Allen Thomas), enough–please give them the due respect. A few days ago I didn’t feel good at all…For me to feel the way I did and only to miss one start, I can’t thank them enough getting me back out there…Hopefully we can help turn this thing around and start getting in the win column more often.”

Tomorrow’s Schedule 

White Sox vs. Mets at Citi Field, New York (6:10 p.m., CT, CSN). Starters: Hector Santiago (1-1) for the Sox, Matt Harvey (4-0) for the Mets.

Did You Know…

…that nine of the Sox’s last 24 games against the Royals have gone into extra innings (including the last two)?

Photo of the Day

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Hero of the Day!

A Win to Savor

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Today’s News
 
King Felix Dethroned
 
Facing “King Felix” Hernandez is never an easy task. But with a revamped lineup featuring five lefthanded hitters against the tough righty, the Sox rose to the occasion and defeated the 2010 Cy Young Award winner and the Mariners this afternoon, 4-3. Alex Rios delivered the big blow with a two-run homer in the sixth inning, his second blast in as many games. Conor Gillaspie, in his first start in a Sox uniform, tripled and scored on a Hector Gimenez sacrifice fly in the fifth. The fourth Sox run scored in the seventh on a Alejandro De Aza sac fly that scored Gillaspie, who followed up his key triple with a single and moved to third on an Alexei Ramirez double. 
 
Pitching-wise, starter Dylan Axelrod was outstanding in 5.2 innings of work, allowing only one unearned run on three hits. Donnie Veal (who got credit for the victory), Nate Jones and Jesse Crain ended the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, respectively, by inducing key outs. Addison Reed recorded his third save with a 1-2-3 ninth.
 
Take a look at the Rios homer:
 
 
The Windy City
 
While Spring arrived in the third inning today with temperatures reaching 65 degrees, the windy conditions were the closest you can get to San Francisco’s Candlestick Park.
 
A Cold Night
 
It was very cold last night, but not necessarily the coldest day anyone could remember around here.
 
“When I went out to the mound to get (Matt) Lindstrom last night,” Sox manager Robin Ventura laughed this morning, “I got out there and thought, “Man, it’s really cold out here.’”
 
But Ventura recalls a night game when the Sox faced Roger Clemens.
 
“It was like last night but even colder,” he said. “We sent the batboys out to buy tennis racquet grips for the bats.”
 
PK Climbing the Ladder
 
With his base hit last night, Paul Konerko moved past Frank Thomas into sole possession of third place on the all-time White Sox hit list with 2,137. Only Hall of Famers Luke Appling (2,749) and Nellie Fox (2,470) rank above Paulie.
 
The Third Man
 
Since most teams don’t carry a third catcher on their roster, one lucky position player is always designated as the team’s “third catcher” and spends time in spring training and during the season honing his emergency skills behind the plate. For the Sox this year, it is Gillaspie.
 
At one point in the 1990s, it was Robin…”for about 20 minutes,” the skipper joked.
 
Ventura described a game where the Sox started a man down. Ron Karkovice was on the DL and Mike “Spanky” LaValliere gave it a go but a few innings into the game, warned he might not make it nine innings.
 
A quick look up and down the bench showed few candidates. RV volunteered.
 
“A lefty was pitching, so I wasn’t playing that day,” he recounts. “I put on the gear and they drove me around the tunnel to the bullpen in a golf cart. I went out and Mark Salas gave me a quick tutorial on how to catch. So I’m down in the bullpen catching and apparently (Sox GM) Ron Schueler saw me. He called down and said, ‘Get him out of there.’”
 
And that’s how Robin’s career as an emergency catcher lasted 20 minutes.
 
I told him he should have put the equipment on and then make a dramatic run out to the bullpen.
 
1983
 
Beginning tomorrow, the White Sox will commemorate their 1983 American League West division championship by wearing ’83 replica uniforms for every Sunday home game. Those “Winning Ugly” Sox, managed by Tony LaRussa, won 99 games and finished the season 20 games ahead of the second-place Kansas City Royals.
 
Here are Reed and coach Harold Baines, one of the stars of that ’83 team, modeling the vintage unis along this year’s retro racers. They are “Racing Pudge” (Carlton Fisk), “Racing Harold” and “Racing Kitty” (Ron Kittle). Fisk and Kittle, of course, were also key cogs on the ’83 team with Gary, IN native Kittle winning the A.L. Rookie of the Year award.
 
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Familiar Voice
 
When you sit down tonight to watch the NCAA Final Four semifinal games, you might hear the familiar voice of White Sox PA announcer Gene Honda, who once again will miss a few Sox games this homestand to call another NCAA championship.
 
A Day to Remember
 
Today was pretty special for Sox backup catcher Hector Gimenez, a switch-hitter who was in the lineup today against Hernandez. His Dad was here from Venezuela and it was the first time the senior Gimenez saw his son play in the major leagues. Hector delivered with a key sac fly.

 

Happy Birthday
 
A happy 49th birthday to Ken Williams. A piece of the famous Levy carrot cake was delivered in the second inning to help him celebrate the occasion.
 
Quote(s) of the Day
 
Robin on Axelrod’s performance:
 
“Ax was great. He did what he needed to do to get us to that point, then Rios with a big homer. He showed he could pitch with anybody.”
 
RV on Gillaspie’s day:
 
“He looked good today. For Conor, he wants to be a storm chaser, it’s a perfect day for him…He’s a tough kid, plays hard and has a compact swing that has a lot of pop with it, too.”
 
Play of the Day
 
The Rios homer, but honorable mention goes to Gillaspie and Axelrod
 
Tomorrow’s Schedule
 
White Sox vs Mariners at U.S. Cellular Field (1:10 p.m., CT, WGN) in the rubber game of the series. Probable starters: Chris Sale for the Sox, Hisashi Iwakuma for Seattle.
 
Did You Know…
 
…that Jake Peavy, who will officially be presented with his 2012 Rawlings Gold Glove Award” before tomorrow’s series finale vs. the Mariners, is the third pitcher (sixth time) in White Sox history to win the award, joining lefthanders Jim Kaat (1974-75) and Mark Buehrle (2009-11).
 
Photo of the Day
 
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Dylan excels while “Blowin’ in the Wind.”

No Fooling…Season Starts a Week from Today

Monday, March 25, 2013

Today’s News

Down to the Wire

After leaving Arizona on Wednesday following their final Cactus League game (vs.the Indians at Camelback Ranch), the White Sox have an off day on Thursday and will play Milwaukee in two exhibition games at Miller Park Friday night and Saturday afternoon. The Sox will hold their final preseason workout next Sunday morning at U.S. Cellular Field before opening the regular season a week from today on April 1.

Farm Aid

In addition to major-league players, the following Sox minor leaguers also will make the trip for the games in Milwaukee: INF Drew Garcia, OF Stefan Gartrell, INF Marcus Semien, OF Brandon Short, C Kevan Smith, OF Keenyn Walker and RHP Matt Zaleski.

You Never Know Who Answers the Phones

True story. A White Sox staffer located upstairs in our offices called the downstairs PR office this morning looking for two guest passes.

Only the person sitting at the desk in the PR office wasn’t Bob Beghtol or Ray Garcia. It was designated hitter/first baseman Adam Dunn.

“What do you need?” he answered the phone, semi anonymously. “Sure, no problem.”

So when the Sox staffer brought his two guests downstairs to pick up their day passes, there was Dunn to greet them and hand them their passes.

And in the spot on the pass where a signature was required, it read D-U-N-N-E-R.

Among the Leaders

Entering today’s game vs. the Angels, Paul Konerko was tied for second in the Cactus League in home runs (5), ranks seventh in total bases (37) and eighth in slugging percentage (.712). Chris Sale was tied for the CL lead with three wins, ranks second in ERA (4.19) and was tied for fourth in IP (19.1 IP). Ramon Troncoso was tied for the lead in appearances (11).

Quote of the Day

Jesse Crain, hampered all spring by an adductor strain, on his outing in today’s game: “The most important thing today was feeling good…and I felt fine. My leg felt good, it didn’t bother me one bit.”

Play(s) of the Day

In today’s 11-5 loss to L.A of Anaheim…Dayan Viciedo’s perfect throw to Gordon Beckham at second base in the sixth inning to nab Mike Trout, who tagged up in an attempt to reach second on a fly ball out. It resulted in an inning-ending double play. Also, Tyler Saladino smashed a two-run, ninth inning homer.

Tomorrow’s Schedule

White Sox vs. Rangers at Surprise (4:05 p.m., Chicago time). Chris Sale will start for the Sox vs. Matt Harrison.

Did You Know…

…that longtime major league pitcher Virgil Trucks, who died on Saturday at 95, went 47-26 with a fine 3.14 ERA for the Sox from 1953-55? A bit of trivia: Trucks’ nephew, Butch Trucks, was a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band.

Photo of the Day

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Dunner: Sox slugger–and new PR man.

It’s Official: Chris Sale will be the Opening Day Starter

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Today’s News

Lefties Rule for Sox on Opening Day

After today’s game, Robin Ventura named Chris Sale as the Opening Day starter on April 1 vs. the Royals at the Cell. The decision means lefties will have started each of the past six Opening Days for the Sox (Danks, 2012, Buehrle 2008-11) and 14 of last 15 (the only righty was Jose Contreras in 2007).

“(Sale) will be the Opening Day starter. We feel very confident with him going forward and giving him the ball for the first game,” said Ventura, who then explained why the announcement wasn’t made earlier in the spring. “(We wanted) him to get his work in and get ready to go. (This is now) something for him to get motivated the last two weeks and get out there and go. He’s ready to do that.”

What a Difference Three Years Make

Just for fun, I looked up April 1, 2010 to see what Sale was doing then. Couldn’t tell you.

But on April 2, 2010, just three years ago, he started Game 1 of a doubleheader for Florida Gulf Coast University against Mercer. Sale earned the victory in the 9-1 FGC win, striking out 14 over 8.0 IP, allowing just one unearned run on four hits and one walk. With the win, he improved to 4-0 on the season.

Three years later, he starts Opening Day in a Major League ballpark. Here’s how Sale looked as a Florida Gulf Coast Eagle:

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More Sale and a Sox Victory

Sale got credit for today’s 11-5 win over the A’s at Camelback Ranch-Glendale, working six innings. He got strong offensive support from the likes of Hector Gimenez (2-3, three RBI); Conor Gillaspie (2-3, two RBI); Jordan Danks (2-4, two RBI); Steve Tolleson (Triple, RBI, two runs scored); Jim Gallagher (1-1, RBI); Bryan Anderson (2-2, RBI); and Tyler Saladino 1-1, RBI). The Sox pounded out 17 hits after collecting 15 against the Cubs on Friday and scored 26 runs in the two games.

Quote of the Day

Robin, commenting on Dayan Viciedo’s monster day on Friday, highlighted by a grand slam homer to right-center: “He’s special when he’s hitting the ball (to the opposite field)…he’s strong enough to take it over there and put up some big numbers.”

Play of the Day

Back-to-back triples by Gimenez and Tolleson in the Sox’s four-run third inning.

Tomorrow’s Schedule

St. Patrick’s Day in Surprise: White Sox vs. Royals (3:05 p.m., Chicago time). It’ll be Zach Stewart starting for the Sox vs. the Royals’ Luis Mendoza. Jose Quintana, Hector Santiago and Jesse Crain are scheduled to pitch in a B-game at Camelback Ranch (Noon, Chicago time).

Did You Know…

…that as a result of his outstanding game at the plate today Gimenez has reached base safely in seven of his last nine games, going 11-20 (.550) with six RBI. He’s batting .500 overall this spring.

Photo of the Day

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Red-hot Sox catcher Hector Gimenez.

Sox, Dodgers Tie as Dunn Goes Deep

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Today’s News


All knotted up after 9
While the White Sox enjoyed a blowout win yesterday, they engaged in a pitchers’ duel this afternoon as the game was called after nine innings with the score tied 2-2. Adam Dunn accounted for the pair of Sox runs with a two-run, opposite field homer off of the Dodgers’ Peter Moylan. Dewayne Wise and Alex Rios both tripled. Erik Johnson started for the Sox and gave up one run on four hits in three innings and struck out two.

Sox notes of note
How welcome was yesterday’s 9-0 whitewash of the Dodgers? It was the first victory for the Sox in a spring opener since 2004….Matt Thornton threw a 35-pitch bullpen session this morning under tough conditions (cold and windy) and reported no pain…Many clubhouse eyes were focused on the Daytona 500 before today’s game…As a result of the chilly weather Harold Baines said he was wearing everything in his locker except one light jacket–and he was considering putting that on.
Danks confident he’ll be ready and Peavy’s passion for the game
A couple of must-reads from Rick Morrissey of the Sun-Times and Scott Merkin of whitesox.com.

A brush with greatness
So it’s 35 minutes before our spring training opener on Saturday, and I am sitting in the White Sox dugout on the first base line waiting for pregame festivities to start.  Literally, I am the only one there and I am minding my own business.  The reason I am there, if you ask, is to help organize our team for on-field introductions at 12:52 p.m. … you know, simple stuff like Robin first, coaches and then starting lineup.

Out of the corner of my eye, I sense someone in a Dodgers uniform walking into the dugout.

“Is Robin here yet?’ he asks.

I turn an immediately recognize that it is Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax.  Behind him, I see lots of autograph seekers and hear people calling his name.

“Not yet,” I say.  “He’ll be here is a couple minutes.”

Mr. Koufax started to talk.  Fine by me. (editor’s note: I did meet Mr. Koufax one spring in Vero Beach, Florida, when I was a kid.  My dad and I were walking down a sidewalk in Dodgertown when here came Mr. Koufax walking toward us.  He was very pleasant but, of course, he doesn’t remember me.)

So of course I start small talk with Sandy Koufax.  I ask him how he’s doing (fine), where he’s staying down here (West Valley), where he lives (up and down the East Coast depending on the weather) and why in the world are “you guys” throwing Kershaw and Greinke at us this early in the spring … since there is a long way to go.

He laughed a little and then explained that he liked to go nine innings once or twice each spring so that he had dealt with the soreness issue before the season had even begun.  “I didn’t care about the first start,” he said.  “I was concerned with how I’d feel going into the second.  Back then, we didn’t have playoffs.”

You either won the pennant or you went home, he explained, so every start mattered.

After about 10 minutes, Robin showed up to a big smile and hug from Koufax.

“Back when I was with the Dodgers,” RV said, “we used to sneak off and play basketball with Sandy.”

(Sandy, by the way, went to the Universithy of Cincinnati on a hoops scholarship).

Basketball?  With Sandy Koufax?  That would have made him about 65 back then (Sandy, not Robin).

“Guy could play.”

Truth.

Another true story … maybe

Former White Sox pitcher Grady Hall was in camp on Saturday to say hello and he re-connected with former teammate Mark Parent.

“We played together in the Dominican one winter,” Hall said of the Sox bench coach.  “His nickname down there was ‘Grande Lama.’”

“Grande Lama,” I laughed, almost choking on my lunch.

“Nothing to do with the Dali Lama,” Hall corrected.  “It had to do with a sponsor and of course, he’s the Grande Lama.”

Quote of the Day

Coop on pitching: “Anytime you shut someone out, you’ve done something,” he said referring to yesterday’s win. “Every game no matter spring training or regular season, there are always going to be 10 balls hit hard. It’s what happens to those 10.”

Play of the Day

Dunn’s first homer of the spring.

Tomorrow’s Schedule
White Sox vs. Giants in Scottsdale (2:05 p.m., Chicago time). Starters are Hector Santiago for the Sox and Madison Bumgarner for San Francisco. Also scheduled to pitch for the South Siders are Addison Reed, Nate Jones, Donnie Veal, Jesse Crain, Matt Lindstrom, Andre Rienzo and Zach Stewart.
Starting lineup: Alejandro De Aza, cf; Brent Morel, 3b; Jeff Keppinger, dh; Paul Konerko, 1b; Dayan Viciedo, lf; Alexei Ramirez, ss; Jared Mitchell, rf; Tyler Flowers, c; Carlos Sanchez, 2b.

Did You Know…
…that Dewayne Wise, he of The Catch, celebrates No. 35 today? Happy Birthday!
Photo of the Day
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White Sox Legends Day was celebrated this afternoon at Camelback Ranch.  Pictured from l to rt. Rudy Law, Jerry Hairston, Sr., Steve Stone, Rich Dotson, Harold Baines, Ron Kittle, Floyd Bannister, Daryl Boston, Ron Karkovice, Bobby Thigpen and Robin Ventura
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