Friday, May 23, 2014
Today’s News
Tonight’s Game
White Sox vs. Yankees at U.S. Cellular Field (7:10 p.m., CT, CSN). Starters: RHP Hector Noesi (0-4, 7.31) for the Sox, RHP Hiroki Kuroda (3-3, 4.61) for New York. The Sox have won seven straight home games against the Yankees.
Sox Starting Lineup: Eaton CF, Beckham 2B, Gillaspie 3B, Viciedo RF, Dunn 1B, Ramirez SS, Konerko DH, De Aza LF, Flowers C.
Plays of the Day
Adam Eaton, Alejandro De Aza and Adam Dunn drove in the Sox runs in last night’s 3-2 win over the Yankees. But in the end it was all about Chris Sale. He was simply brilliant in his first game back from more than a month on the disabled list. In six innings of work the only blemish was a lone single and he struck out 10. He’s now 4-0 with a 1.89 ERA…Zach Putnam and Daniel Webb pitched perfect baseball in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively, and Ronald Belisario came on in the ninth and got credit for his second save.
For Sale
Chris is the second pitcher in the modern era (since 1900) to allow one hit with 10-plus strikeouts in consecutive starts. The Mets’ R.A. Dickey accomplished the feat in 2012. Last night’s performance was Sale’s 12th game of 10 strikeouts or more. He is now tied with Alex Fernandez for the fourth most in franchise history. It took Fernandez to accomplish the feat in 197 starts, Sale has done it in 64…he has yet to allow a hit to a left-handed hitter this season (0-23)…Sale is the first White Sox lefty starter to begin a season 4-0 since Mark Buehrle (5-0) in 2009…and as a result of his gem last night, he joins Gary Peters (1963) and Floyd Bannister (1987) as the only Sox pitchers since 1914 to have 10 Ks, no walks and no more than one hit allowed in a single game.
Former Teammates Reunited
Robin Ventura and Derek Jeter, who were Yankee teammates in 2002-03, greet each other warmly before last night’s game. The White Sox will honor the retiring Jeter on Sunday with a video and gifts. Fellow captain Paul Konerko will do the presenting on behalf of the Sox.
And While Sale was Clicking in Chicago…
High Class A Winston-Salem’s Francellis “Frank” Montas (pictured below), acquired by the White Sox from the Red Sox in last summer’s Jake Peavy trade, had a no-hitter into the seventh inning last night in the Dash’s 6-3 victory and series win over the Salem Red Sox.
Montas (2-0) was dominant throughout his start, striking out eight batters in his first six innings of work. Montas pitched eight innings, allowing one run, two hits and one walk while striking out 11.
As a result of his performance, he was named “Pitcher of the Day” today by Baseball America‘s Prospect Report.
Swoopes as in Hoops
Hoops legend Sheryl Swoopes will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before tonight’s game.
Quotes of the Day
Sale commenting on carrying a perfect game into the sixth inning while on a strict pitch count in his first start back from the DL:
“I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited to give up a hit in my life. I knew I was done after that sixth, and Robin said the same thing. He goes, ‘You picked a bad night to do something like that.'”
Former MLB GM Jim Bowden, now with the MLB Radio Network, on Sale:
“He has to go into the category of Kershaw, Scherzer, Fernandez. When healthy he’s amazing.”
Tomorrow’s Schedule
White Sox vs. Yankees at U.S. Cellular Field (1:10 p.m., CT, CSN). Starters: LHP John Danks (3-4, 5.64) for the Sox, LHP Vidal Nuno (1-1, 5.82) for New York. And don’t forget, it’s Chris Sale bobblehead day.
Photo of the Day
Here’s how President Obama signed the guest book on his visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame yesterday.
