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White Sox rally to split twinbill with Indians

Mordrhychoato — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:51:53 +0000

Alexei Ramirez’s seventh-inning single broke the game’s final tie and led Chicago to a 5-4 win over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night, giving the White Sox a split of the day-night doubleheader.

Asdrubal Cabrera’s solo home run and six strong innings from Fausto Carmona gave Cleveland a 4-3 win in the first game.

The teams, who were eliminated from the AL Central race last week when Detroit clinched the division, are battling for second place. The Indians lead the White Sox by 1 1/2 games.

Matt Thornton (2-5) pitched 1 1/3 innings for the win in the second game and Chris Sale went the final 1 2/3 innings for his seventh save.

Cleveland took a 4-3 lead into the seventh before Chicago rallied against rookie reliever Zach Putnam (0-1). Tyler Flowers started the rally with a single and took third on Gordon Beckham’s third double of the game. Juan Pierre’s groundout tied the game before Ramirez’s bloop single to center over a drawn-in infield gave Chicago the lead.

Both teams started rookies in the second game. Dylan Axelrod, making his second major-league start, allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings for the White Sox while Zach McAllister, in his third big-league start, gave up two runs in 5 1-3 innings for the Indians.

Cleveland managed one hit off Axelrod through three innings before scoring four times in the fourth. Jim Thome’s RBI single gave Cleveland the lead. Matt LaPorta’s run-scoring double and sacrifice flies by Grady Sizemore and Jack Hannahan completed the scoring.

Singles by Jason Donald and Carlos Santana started the inning. Thome singled sharply past a diving Paul Konerko at first base to score Donald. After Shelley Duncan walked to load the bases, Sizemore’s fly ball to left was deep enough to score Santana.

LaPorta’s line drive to right was misjudged by Dayan Viciedo, who got a bad jump and broke back too late to make the catch. Hannahan’s fly ball to center scored the inning’s final run.

McAllister held the White Sox scoreless until the fifth when Beckham’s RBI double scored Chicago’s first run. Alejandro De Aza’s two-run double off Rafael Perez in the sixth cut the lead to one.

Cleveland’s pitchers hit three Chicago batters in the second game.

Cabrera strained his back while batting in the eighth inning of the first game and didn’t play in the second game.

Carmona (7-15) allowed three runs in six innings and won for the first time since Aug. 17.

Travis Hafner and Kosuke Fukudome also homered off Gavin Floyd (12-12), who hasn’t won since Aug. 29.

Hafner’s two-run homer in the first gave Cleveland the lead, but Chicago tied the game in the second on Adam Dunn’s RBI double and Alejandro De Aza’s run-scoring single.

Cabrera’s home run put Cleveland ahead and was his 24th of the season. Cabrera, who entered Saturday’s game against Minnesota in an 0-for-20 slump, has eight hits in his last 13 at-bats.

NOTES: The first game was the makeup of a July 23 rainout at Progressive Field. … White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen says LHP Mark Buehrle will start Wednesday night. Buehrle (11-9, 3.74 ERA) has sore biceps after being hit with a ball in his last start. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (4-2, 4.56) will start for the Indians. … Guillen played most of his regulars in Tuesday’s first game. … The White Sox are 9-6 against the Indians with three games to play in the season series. … Hannahan was a defensive replacement at third base in the eighth inning of the first game, his first appearance since straining his left calf Sept. 4. He started the second game. … C Lou Marson struck out in all three at-bats. … The Indians are playing nine games in seven days on their final homestand of the season. Cleveland played a makeup game with Seattle on Monday and will play another day-night doubleheader against Minnesota on Saturday. … The Indians recalled RHP Corey Kluber from Triple-A Columbus.

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Chen runs out of answers as White Sox beat Royals…

EffopyMog — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:43:51 +0000

By TEREZ A. PAYLOR

The Kansas City Star

Updated: 2011-09-19T12:43:51Z

JOHN SLEEZER| The Kansas City Star

The Royals’ Johnny Giavotella walked back to the dugout after striking out in the seventh inning Sunday against the White Sox.

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Pierzynski hits two homers, White Sox end…

Thyophcftuigm — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:33:01 +0000

Pierzynski homered twice among his four hits and drove in four runs as the Chicago White Sox snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 10-5 victory over the Royals on Sunday.

The Royals were looking for their first winning streak of more than seven games since starting the 2003 9-0.

The Royals are hitting .380 on this homestand.

“And we still lost,” Royals manager Ned Yost said of the 15 hits.

Bruce Chen, who broke Pierzynski’s wrist with a pitch on Aug. 12, took the loss. He allowed four runs on nine hits in 5 1-3 innings.

“I like how I was mixing in my pitches well, but unfortunately we didn’t come out with a win,” Chen said. “I’m kinda bummed out that I lost the game because we’re on a roll and playing really good, and I wanted to keep it going.”

Chen gave up two singles to Pierzynski, who homered in the seventh and eighth innings off relievers Louis Coleman and Jesse Chavez.

“Bruce pitched OK,” Yost said. “He kept us in the game, contained the damage pretty good. Louie gave up the two back-to-back homers. Jesse was the freshest arm we had down there. I tried to squeak through the eighth with him and he got two quick outs then it was kind of boom, boom, boom from that point and it got away from us.”

The Royals, who stranded a dozen runners, trailed 4-3 going into the seventh.

“We had a lot of opportunities to pick up runs and we didn’t do it,” Yost said. “And those are runs that would have made a difference in this game.”

Paul Konerko and Pierzynski had back-to-back homers leading off the seventh against Coleman. It was Konerko’s 30th home run. Konerko, who also singled home Juan Pierre in the eighth for his 103rd RBI, has reached 30 home runs and 100 RBIs for the fifth time in his career.

The White Sox took a 4-0 lead in ending the Royals’ seven-game winning streak, Kansas City’s longest run since notching seven in a row Sept. 13-18, 2008.

Pierzynski’s three-run homer off Chavez in the eighth struck the right-field pole. It was Pierzynski’s fourth career multihomer game — the past two have been at Kauffman Stadium, his previous coming July 9, 2010.

“It’s one of those things that when I came into the season that I kind of felt like that’s my job, to drive in runs,” Konerko said.

Brent Morel’s double in the second scored Pierzynski and Dayan Viciedo, who had both singled.

In the fourth, Adam Dunn doubled home Alex Rios for his first extra-base hit against a left-hander, in his 89th at-bat this season. Dunn stopped at third on Viciedo’s single and scored on Gordon Beckham’s sacrifice fly.

The Royals scored a pair of runs in the fifth with Yamaico Navarro and Billy Butler getting the RBIs. Johnny Giavotella’s triple in the sixth scored Jeff Francoeur, cutting the White Sox lead to 4-3. Giavotella’s third hit in the ninth scored Eric Hosmer.

Hosmer, who had also three hits, had an RBI single in the seventh.

Left-hander John Danks (7-12), who was 0-3 with a 10.91 ERA in his previous three starts allowed 10 hits and four runs in six-plus innings.

Bruce Chen (11-8) took the loss and is 1-3 in four September starts. He allowed four runs on nine hits and two walks in 5 1-3 innings.

NOTES: Beckham, who leads AL second baseman with a .992 fielding percentage, was charged with his second error in 49 games when he mishandled Francoeur’s bouncer in the sixth. … Navarro made his first start at shortstop For Royals. He had started five games at third base. … Pierre leads the AL with 43 infield hits and 19 bunt hits. … The Royals and White Sox are both off Monday. The White Sox play a doubleheader Tuesday at Cleveland and will start Gavin Floyd and Dylan Axelrod. … RHP Luis Mendoza, who was the Pacific Coast League pitcher of the year after going 12-5 with a 2.18 ERA for Triple-A Omaha, will start Tuesday against Detroit, the AL Central champions. It will be Mendoza’s first big league start since Aug. 13, 2008, while with Texas.

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Pierzynski homers twice to lead White Sox past…

anceciabobexy — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 02:58:01 +0000

KANSAS CITY, MO. —

A.J. Pierzynski homered twice among his four hits and drove in four runs as the Chicago White Sox snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 10-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

Paul Konerko and Pierzynski had back-to-back homers leading off the seventh against rookie reliever Louis Coleman. It was Konerko’s 30th home run. Konerko, who also singled home Juan Pierre in the eighth for his 103rd RBI, has reached 30 home runs and 100 RBIs for the fifth time in his career.

The White Sox took an early 4-0 lead in ending the Royals’ seven-game winning streak, Kansas City’s longest run since notching seven in a row Sept. 13-18, 2008.

Pierzynski’s three-run homer off Jesse Chavez in the eighth struck the right-field foul pole. It was Pierzynski’s fourth career multihomer game — the past two have been at Kauffman Stadium, his previous coming July 9, 2010.

Brent Morel’s double in the second scored Pierzynski and Dayan Viciedo, who had both singled.

Hosmer, who had also three hits, had an RBI single in the seventh.

Left-hander John Danks (7-12), who was 0-3 with a 10.91 ERA in his previous three starts allowed 10 hits and four runs in six-plus innings.

Bruce Chen (11-8) took the loss and is 1-3 in four September starts. He allowed four runs on nine hits and two walks in 5 1-3 innings.

NOTES: Beckham, who leads AL second baseman with a .992 fielding percentage, was charged with his second error in 49 games when he mishandled Francoeur’s bouncer in the sixth. Navarro made his first start at shortstop For Royals. He had started five games at third base. Pierre leads the AL with 43 infield hits and 19 bunt hits. The Royals and White Sox are both off Monday. The White Sox play a doubleheader Tuesday at Cleveland and will start Gavin Floyd and Dylan Axelrod. RHP Luis Mendoza, who was the Pacific Coast League pitcher of the year after going 12-5 with a 2.18 ERA for Triple-A Omaha, will start Tuesday against Detroit, the AL Central champions. It will be Mendoza’s first big league start since Aug. 13, 2008, while with Texas.

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Pierzynski hits two homers for White Sox

SkinkBlinty — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 02:35:07 +0000

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – A.J. Pierzynski homered twice among his four hits and drove in four runs as the Chicago White Sox snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 10-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

The White Sox took an early 4-0 lead in ending the Royals’ seven-game winning streak, Kansas City’s longest run since notching seven in a row Sept. 13-18, 2008.

Pierzynski’s three-run homer off Jesse Chavez in the eighth struck the right-field foul pole. It was Pierzynski’s fourth career multihomer game – the past two have been at Kauffman Stadium, his previous coming July 9, 2010.

Brent Morel’s double in the second scored Pierzynski and Dayan Viciedo, who had both singled.

Hosmer, who had also three hits, had an RBI single in the seventh.

Left-hander John Danks (7-12), who was 0-3 with a 10.91 ERA in his previous three starts allowed 10 hits and four runs in six-plus innings.

Bruce Chen (11-8) took the loss and is 1-3 in four September starts. He allowed four runs on nine hits and two walks in 5 1-3 innings.

NOTES: Beckham, who leads AL second baseman with a .992 fielding percentage, was charged with his second error in 49 games when he mishandled Francoeur’s bouncer in the sixth. Navarro made his first start at shortstop For Royals. He had started five games at third base. Pierre leads the AL with 43 infield hits and 19 bunt hits. The Royals and White Sox are both off Monday. The White Sox play a doubleheader Tuesday at Cleveland and will start Gavin Floyd and Dylan Axelrod. RHP Luis Mendoza, who was the Pacific Coast League pitcher of the year after going 12-5 with a 2.18 ERA for Triple-A Omaha, will start Tuesday against Detroit, the AL Central champions. It will be Mendoza’s first big league start since Aug. 13, 2008, while with Texas.

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Twins hold on, end White Sox’s run at 5 (AP)

lizamaelly — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:34:31 +0000

CHICAGO (AP)—Jake Peavy’s(notes) one bad inning was enough to send the Chicago
White Sox to a costly loss.

Jason Kubel(notes) and Luke Hughes(notes) homered during Minnesota’s six-run first inning,
and the Twins snapped Chicago’s five-game winning streak with a 7-6 victory on
Wednesday.

“It was rough first inning,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. “I
thought it was going to be a little bit worse than that.”

Kubel and Hughes each hit a two-run shot off Peavy (6-7), who allowed four
consecutive extra-base hits during his rocky beginning. Trevor Plouffe(notes), Joe
Mauer(notes) and Michael Cuddyer(notes) hit three straight doubles to plate the first two
runs.

The White Sox fell six games back of the AL Central-leading Tigers, who
rallied for a 5-4 victory over Kansas City. Chicago is off Thursday and opens an
important three-game series at Detroit on Friday.

There was a stout wind blowing out to left field on a hot afternoon at U.S.
Cellular Field and Peavy said Minnesota’s ability to get the ball up into the
breeze was the key to its strong start.

“They were hitting the ball to left field and the ball was traveling to
left field very well,” Peavy said. “Obviously I didn’t make a lot of good
pitches.”

The damaging streak of extra-base hits started with Plouffe’s one-out
double. Mauer drove in Plouffe to give him 500 career RBIs. Cuddyer then doubled
in Mauer and scored when Kubel lofted a fly ball to left that got some help from
the wind and barely cleared the outstretched glove of a leaping Juan Pierre(notes).

“That ball to Kubel, he put his head down and going up the line, he was
upset at himself,” Peavy said.

Kubel’s third homer in his last four games was his 14th in 39 career games
at U.S. Cellular Field.

After Danny Valencia(notes) struck out, Rene Tosoni(notes) singled and Hughes hit a drive
to left-center for his seventh homer.

Scott Diamond(notes) (1-2) allowed three runs and three hits in six innings to earn
his first major league win. Manager Ron Gardenhire said Diamond may have learned
from Peavy’s struggles.

“I think Diamond saw that in the first inning and decided he was going to
throw the ball down,” Gardenhire said.

Joe Nathan(notes) yielded Paul Konerko’s(notes) two-run single in the ninth before
finishing for his 12th save.

“That’s what Joe is known for is closing games,” Diamond said. “That’s
what always makes the game exciting is ninth-inning drama, but like he always
does, he closed the game down and got us a win.”

Peavy settled down after the rough start, giving the White Sox a chance to
get back into the game. Lillibridge hit a two-run homer in the third and came
all the way around from first to score on Konerko’s double in the sixth.

“We just battled,” Lillibridge said. “I’m sure Ozzie loved the way we
played. We played hard and we kept forcing good at-bats and battling to the
end.”

Peavy allowed six runs and eight hits over five innings, falling to 2-6 with
a 5.77 ERA since a relief appearance on June 25. The 2007 NL Cy Young Award
winner still isn’t 100 percent after having surgery on his right shoulder and
said the bullpen outing might have been a mistake.

“If I could go back and take one thing away, I probably set myself back
with the relief appearance I had,” Peavy said.

Jason Repko(notes) added a two-out drive in the seventh for the Twins, who went
7-21 in August for the club’s worst-ever record in the month.

Alex Rios(notes) hit an RBI single in the eighth but Chicago left the bases loaded
when Tyler Flowers(notes) lined out to third to end the inning.

Chicago mounted another challenge in the ninth, but Nathan struck out Rios
with a runner on first to end the game.

Guillen had Adam Dunn(notes) hit for Lillibridge with runners on second and third
in the ninth and the much-maligned slugger struck out swinging before Konerko’s
bloop hit.

“I didn’t want the matchup Nathan against Lilli,” Guillen said. “The only
thing is go out and hit the ball out of the ballpark or walk. Obviously, he
struck out but that’s the matchup I like the best. “

Tough loss, but now it’s on to Detroit for what may be a season-turning
series for the White Sox, one way or another.

“I feel like we have to win the series to be really optimistic for the rest
of the year,” Lillibridge said. “We’re ready. We’ve been playing good
baseball.”

NOTES: Chicago OF Carlos Quentin(notes) said his sprained left shoulder has
improved but he wasn’t willing to put a timetable on his possible return. He’s
been on the disabled list since Aug. 21. . Twins 1B Justin Morneau(notes) (mild
concussion symptoms) has to be cleared by the league before he can return.
Morneau jammed his shoulder on Sunday and experienced headaches, prompting a
concussion test. . After a day off, the Twins begin a three-game road series
against the Angels on Friday with Carl Pavano(notes) going against Los Angeles ace
Jered Weaver(notes). . John Danks(notes) will start the series opener against Tigers ace
Justin Verlander(notes), who is 20-5. Verlander’s last loss came against Chicago on
July 15.

That’s all the news for today.

Peavy gets off to rough start as Chicago White Sox…

Bernolakon — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:31:28 +0000

“It was rough first inning,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. “I thought it was going to be a little bit worse than that.”

Kubel and Hughes each hit a two-run shot off Peavy (6-7), who allowed four consecutive extra-base hits during his rocky beginning. Trevor Plouffe, Joe Mauer and Michael Cuddyer hit three straight doubles to plate the first two runs.

The White Sox fell six games back of the AL Central-leading Tigers, who rallied for a 5-4 victory over Kansas City. Chicago is off Thursday and opens an important three-game series at Detroit on Friday.

There was a stout wind blowing out to left field on a hot afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field and Peavy said Minnesota’s ability to get the ball up into the breeze was the key to its strong start.

“They were hitting the ball to left field and the ball was traveling to left field very well,” Peavy said. “Obviously I didn’t make a lot of good pitches.”

The damaging streak of extra-base hits started with Plouffe’s one-out double. Mauer drove in Plouffe to give him 500 career RBIs. Cuddyer then doubled in Mauer and scored when Kubel lofted a fly ball to left that got some help from the wind and barely cleared the outstretched glove of a leaping Juan Pierre.

“That ball to Kubel, he put his head down and going up the line, he was upset at himself,” Peavy said.

Kubel’s third homer in his last four games was his 14th in 39 career games at U.S. Cellular Field.

After Danny Valencia struck out, Rene Tosoni singled and Hughes hit a drive to left-center for his seventh homer.

Scott Diamond (1-2) allowed three runs and three hits in six innings to earn his first major league win. Manager Ron Gardenhire said Diamond may have learned from Peavy’s struggles.

“I think Diamond saw that in the first inning and decided he was going to throw the ball down,” Gardenhire said.

Joe Nathan yielded Paul Konerko’s two-run single in the ninth before finishing for his 12th save.

“That’s what Joe is known for is closing games,” Diamond said. “That’s what always makes the game exciting is ninth-inning drama, but like he always does, he closed the game down and got us a win.”

Peavy settled down after the rough start, giving the White Sox a chance to get back into the game. Lillibridge hit a two-run homer in the third and came all the way around from first to score on Konerko’s double in the sixth.

“We just battled,” Lillibridge said. “I’m sure Ozzie loved the way we played. We played hard and we kept forcing good at-bats and battling to the end.”

Peavy allowed six runs and eight hits over five innings, falling to 2-6 with a 5.77 ERA since a relief appearance on June 25. The 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner still isn’t 100 percent after having surgery on his right shoulder and said the bullpen outing might have been a mistake.

“If I could go back and take one thing away, I probably set myself back with the relief appearance I had,” Peavy said.

Jason Repko added a two-out drive in the seventh for the Twins, who went 7-21 in August for the club’s worst-ever record in the month.

Alex Rios hit an RBI single in the eighth but Chicago left the bases loaded when Tyler Flowers lined out to third to end the inning.

Chicago mounted another challenge in the ninth, but Nathan struck out Rios with a runner on first to end the game.

Guillen had Adam Dunn hit for Lillibridge with runners on second and third in the ninth and the much-maligned slugger struck out swinging before Konerko’s bloop hit.

“I didn’t want the matchup Nathan against Lilli,” Guillen said. “The only thing is go out and hit the ball out of the ballpark or walk. Obviously, he struck out but that’s the matchup I like the best. “

Tough loss, but now it’s on to Detroit for what may be a season-turning series for the White Sox, one way or another.

“I feel like we have to win the series to be really optimistic for the rest of the year,” Lillibridge said. “We’re ready. We’ve been playing good baseball.”

NOTES: Chicago OF Carlos Quentin said his sprained left shoulder has improved but he wasn’t willing to put a timetable on his possible return. He’s been on the disabled list since Aug. 21. . Twins 1B Justin Morneau (mild concussion symptoms) has to be cleared by the league before he can return. Morneau jammed his shoulder on Sunday and experienced headaches, prompting a concussion test. . After a day off, the Twins begin a three-game road series against the Angels on Friday with Carl Pavano going against Los Angeles ace Jered Weaver. . John Danks will start the series opener against Tigers ace Justin Verlander, who is 20-5. Verlander’s last loss came against Chicago on July 15.

That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

Twins hold on for 7-6 win over White Sox

sessCheft — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 03:47:21 +0000

CHICAGO —

Jason Kubel and Luke Hughes homered during Minnesota’s six-run first inning, and the Twins beat the White Sox 7-6 on Wednesday to snap Chicago’s five-game winning streak.

Kubel and Hughes each hit a two-run shot off Jake Peavy (6-7), who allowed four consecutive extra-base hits during his rocky opening inning. Trevor Plouffe, Joe Mauer and Michael Cuddyer hit three straight doubles to plate the first two runs.

Scott Diamond (1-2) allowed three runs and three hits in six innings to earn his first major league win. Joe Nathan yielded Paul Konerko’s two-run single in the ninth before finishing for his 12th save.

Brent Lillibridge hit a two-run homer, walked and scored twice for the White Sox, who dropped to six games back of AL Central-leading Detroit. Juan Pierre singled, walked twice and scored two runs.

Peavy (6-7) allowed six runs and eight hits over five innings, falling to 2-6 with a 5.77 ERA since a relief appearance on June 25.

The costly streak of extra-base hits started after Jason Repko began the game with a harmless grounder to third. Mauer drove in Plouffe to give him 500 career RBIs. Cuddyer then doubled in Mauer and scored when Kubel lofted a fly ball to left that got some help from the wind and barely cleared the outstretched glove of a leaping Pierre.

Kubel’s third homer in his last four games was his 14th in 39 career games at U.S. Cellular Field.

After Danny Valencia struck out, Rene Tosoni singled and Hughes hit a drive to left-center for his seventh homer.

Repko added a two-out drive in the seventh for the Twins, who went 7-21 in August for the club’s worst-ever record in the month.

Peavy settled down after the rough start, giving the White Sox a chance to get back into the game. Lillibridge hit a two-run homer in the third and came all the way around from first to score on Konerko’s double in the sixth.

Alex Rios hit an RBI single in the eighth but Chicago left the bases loaded when Tyler Flowers lined out to third to end the inning.

The White Sox mounted another challenge in the ninth, but Nathan struck out Rios with a runner on first to end the game.

NOTES: Chicago OF Carlos Quentin said his sprained left shoulder has improved but he wasn’t willing to put a timetable on his possible return. He’s been on the disabled list since Aug. 21. . Twins 1B Justin Morneau (mild concussion symptoms) has to be cleared by the league before he can return. Morneau jammed his shoulder on Sunday and experienced headaches, prompting a concussion test. . After a day off, the Twins begin a three-game road series against the Angels on Friday with Carl Pavano going against Los Angeles ace Jered Weaver. . The White Sox begin a crucial three-game series at first-place Detroit on Friday. John Danks will start the opener against Tigers ace Justin Verlander, who is 20-5. Verlander’s last loss came against Chicago on July 15. … Much-maligned White Sox slugger Adam Dunn hit for Lillibridge with runners on second and third in the ninth and struck out swinging.

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White Sox’s 9th-inning rally falls short in loss

leslietr — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 03:18:16 +0000