By TYLER KEPNER

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) The Chicago White Sox desperately needed a strong outing from one of their starters. Chris Sale provided it.

The 23-year-old left-hander pitched effectively into the sixth inning and the White Sox capitalized on some shoddy defense by the Los Angeles Angels for a 6-1 victory Thursday.

After a three-game stretch in which starters John Danks, Jake Peavy and Gavin Floyd gave up a combined 18 earned runs over 14 1-3 innings, Sale (4-2) restored order in his sixth major league start. He struck out seven and was working on a three-hit shutout in the sixth when he gave up a one-out homer to Albert Pujols and a double to Mark Trumbo and was replaced by Nate Jones.

”It was nice to see Chris have a good start,” Chicago first baseman Paul Konerko said. ”He had that little thing where he got out of the rotation for a week and missed a turn, and I think there’s no question that it kind of blew his rhythm – because he didn’t have a good game last time. So it was nice to see him get it back, because he was on his way to having a great year.”

Sale joined lefty Steve Rosenberg (1989) as the only White Sox pitchers to give up three runs or less in each of their first six big league starts since divisional play began in 1969.

”I guess that’s a cool stat, but it’s obviously something I don’t pay attention to at all,” Sale said. ”I have a job to do, and that’s to go out and keep my team in the game, keep the other team to fewer runs on the board than the other starter and pitch deep into the game. That’s my main focus.”

A first-round draft pick in 2010, Sale was used exclusively in relief by the White Sox during his two previous seasons in the big leagues. Two of those relief outings were against the Angels, who got to see him again during spring training.

”He did a good job today and was pretty sharp, for the most part,” Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick said. ”He got outs and put up zeros, and that’s what you want your starter to do. He’s got a good two-seam fastball, he threw strikes and was able to get guys out with his breaking ball.”

C.J. Wilson (4-4) threw 88 pitches in 3 2-3 innings and tied a career high with six walks. The left-hander was charged with four runs – one earned – and four hits. He also walked six Marlins batters on June 15, 2010, at Miami while pitching for the Texas Rangers.

”I had a little stomach virus today, so I couldn’t really get anything going,” Wilson said. ”It was just weird. I almost passed out after the first inning. I didn’t set a good tone, and that’s pretty much my fault. I put the defense to sleep out there – and the bats, too, I guess.”

A.J. Pierzynski delivered a two-out RBI single in the third to open the scoring, after flying out with the bases loaded to end the White Sox first. He was 3 for 5 with two RBI singles, and is 29 for 70 in his last 19 games at Angel Stadium.

Chicago tacked on three unearned runs in the fourth with the help of two balls that should have been caught and weren’t. Angels center fielder Mike Trout started in right for the first time this season due to the absence of nine-time Gold Glove winner Torii Hunter because of his son’s arrest in Texas, and dropped a routine flyball by Dyan Viciedo with one out.

Viciedo ended up at second base on the error, and Wilson walked the next two batters before Adam Dunn chased the left-hander with a two-run single. David Carpenter came in and Konerko hit a popup to short right field, but the ball fell in front of Kendrick after he called off Trout. It was scored as an RBI single.

”It was right in the sun,” Kendrick said. ”I made a mistake and had my sunglasses on my hat, and I should have had them on there. But I still have to make that play, regardless. We can’t allow that to happen. We’ve got to make plays and give the team the best opportunity to win. Today we missed some flyballs, and we’ve got to work on that.”

In the fifth, Alexei Ramirez’s blooper fell between Trout and Kendrick for a hit after a leadoff single by Pierzynski. Viciedo followed with a flyball to short center, where Peter Bourjos converged with Trout and Kendrick before making the catch – resulting in a derisive cheer from the crowd of 30,786. Carpenter then fielded Brent Morel’s comebacker and started a double play.

Viciedo led off the eighth with his sixth homer and third in a four-game span. Three batters later, three-time Gold Glove winner Vernon Wells scaled the fence in front of the left field bullpen and pulled back Gordon Beckham’s bid for a two-run homer.

NOTES: Trumbo had a career-high four hits. … Dunn struck out his first two times up, increasing his major league-worst total to 59, and has at least one in 38 of his first 39 games. He led the majors in strikeouts three consecutive seasons while with Cincinnati (2004-06). … The Angels had gone 54 consecutive innings without an error before Trout’s first miscue of the season in 17 starts in the outfield.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)

The Chicago White Sox desperately needed a strong outing from one of their starters. Chris Sale provided it.

The 23-year-old left-hander pitched effectively into the sixth inning and the White Sox capitalized on some shoddy defense by the Los Angeles Angels for a 6-1 victory Thursday.

After a three-game stretch in which starters John Danks, Jake Peavy and Gavin Floyd gave up a combined 18 earned runs over 14 1-3 innings, Sale (4-2) restored order in his sixth major league start. He struck out seven and was working on a three-hit shutout in the sixth when he gave up a one-out homer to Albert Pujols and a double to Mark Trumbo and was replaced by Nate Jones.

”It was nice to see Chris have a good start,” Chicago first baseman Paul Konerko said. ”He had that little thing where he got out of the rotation for a week and missed a turn, and I think there’s no question that it kind of blew his rhythm – because he didn’t have a good game last time. So it was nice to see him get it back, because he was on his way to having a great year.”

Sale joined lefty Steve Rosenberg (1989) as the only White Sox pitchers to give up three runs or less in each of their first six big league starts since divisional play began in 1969.

”I guess that’s a cool stat, but it’s obviously something I don’t pay attention to at all,” Sale said. ”I have a job to do, and that’s to go out and keep my team in the game, keep the other team to fewer runs on the board than the other starter and pitch deep into the game. That’s my main focus.”

A first-round draft pick in 2010, Sale was used exclusively in relief by the White Sox during his two previous seasons in the big leagues. Two of those relief outings were against the Angels, who got to see him again during spring training.

”He did a good job today and was pretty sharp, for the most part,” Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick said. ”He got outs and put up zeros, and that’s what you want your starter to do. He’s got a good two-seam fastball, he threw strikes and was able to get guys out with his breaking ball.”

C.J. Wilson (4-4) threw 88 pitches in 3 2-3 innings and tied a career high with six walks. The left-hander was charged with four runs – one earned – and four hits. He also walked six Marlins batters on June 15, 2010, at Miami while pitching for the Texas Rangers.

”I had a little stomach virus today, so I couldn’t really get anything going,” Wilson said. ”It was just weird. I almost passed out after the first inning. I didn’t set a good tone, and that’s pretty much my fault. I put the defense to sleep out there – and the bats, too, I guess.”

A.J. Pierzynski delivered a two-out RBI single in the third to open the scoring, after flying out with the bases loaded to end the White Sox first. He was 3 for 5 with two RBI singles, and is 29 for 70 in his last 19 games at Angel Stadium.

Chicago tacked on three unearned runs in the fourth with the help of two balls that should have been caught and weren’t. Angels center fielder Mike Trout started in right for the first time this season due to the absence of nine-time Gold Glove winner Torii Hunter because of his son’s arrest in Texas, and dropped a routine flyball by Dyan Viciedo with one out.

Viciedo ended up at second base on the error, and Wilson walked the next two batters before Adam Dunn chased the left-hander with a two-run single. David Carpenter came in and Konerko hit a popup to short right field, but the ball fell in front of Kendrick after he called off Trout. It was scored as an RBI single.

”It was right in the sun,” Kendrick said. ”I made a mistake and had my sunglasses on my hat, and I should have had them on there. But I still have to make that play, regardless. We can’t allow that to happen. We’ve got to make plays and give the team the best opportunity to win. Today we missed some flyballs, and we’ve got to work on that.”

In the fifth, Alexei Ramirez’s blooper fell between Trout and Kendrick for a hit after a leadoff single by Pierzynski. Viciedo followed with a flyball to short center, where Peter Bourjos converged with Trout and Kendrick before making the catch – resulting in a derisive cheer from the crowd of 30,786. Carpenter then fielded Brent Morel’s comebacker and started a double play.

Viciedo led off the eighth with his sixth homer and third in a four-game span. Three batters later, three-time Gold Glove winner Vernon Wells scaled the fence in front of the left field bullpen and pulled back Gordon Beckham’s bid for a two-run homer.

NOTES: Trumbo had a career-high four hits. … Dunn struck out his first two times up, increasing his major league-worst total to 59, and has at least one in 38 of his first 39 games. He led the majors in strikeouts three consecutive seasons while with Cincinnati (2004-06). … The Angels had gone 54 consecutive innings without an error before Trout’s first miscue of the season in 17 starts in the outfield.

ANAHEIM, CALIF. The Chicago White Sox desperately needed a strong outing from one of their starters. Chris Sale provided it.

The 23-year-old left-hander pitched effectively into the sixth inning and the White Sox capitalized on some shoddy defence by the Los Angeles Angels for a 6-1 victory Thursday.

After a three-game stretch in which starters John Danks, Jake Peavy and Gavin Floyd gave up a combined 18 earned runs over 14 1-3 innings, Sale (4-2) restored order in his sixth major league start. He struck out seven and was working on a three-hit shutout in the sixth when he gave up a one-out homer to Albert Pujols and a double to Mark Trumbo and was replaced by Nate Jones.

“It was nice to see Chris have a good start,” Chicago first baseman Paul Konerko said. “He had that little thing where he got out of the rotation for a week and missed a turn, and I think there’s no question that it kind of blew his rhythm — because he didn’t have a good game last time. So it was nice to see him get it back, because he was on his way to having a great year.”

Sale joined lefty Steve Rosenberg (1989) as the only White Sox pitchers to give up three runs or less in each of their first six big league starts since divisional play began in 1969.

“I guess that’s a cool stat, but it’s obviously something I don’t pay attention to at all,” Sale said. “I have a job to do, and that’s to go out and keep my team in the game, keep the other team to fewer runs on the board than the other starter and pitch deep into the game. That’s my main focus.”

A first-round draft pick in 2010, Sale was used exclusively in relief by the White Sox during his two previous seasons in the big leagues. Two of those relief outings were against the Angels, who got to see him again during spring training.

“He did a good job today and was pretty sharp, for the most part,” Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick said. “He got outs and put up zeros, and that’s what you want your starter to do. He’s got a good two-seam fastball, he threw strikes and was able to get guys out with his breaking ball.”

C.J. Wilson (4-4) threw 88 pitches in 3 2/3 innings and tied a career high with six walks. The left-hander was charged with four runs — one earned — and four hits. He also walked six Marlins batters on June 15, 2010, at Miami while pitching for the Texas Rangers.

“I had a little stomach virus today, so I couldn’t really get anything going,” Wilson said. “It was just weird. I almost passed out after the first inning. I didn’t set a good tone, and that’s pretty much my fault. I put the defence to sleep out there — and the bats, too, I guess.”

A.J. Pierzynski delivered a two-out RBI single in the third to open the scoring, after flying out with the bases loaded to end the White Sox first. He was 3 for 5 with two RBI singles, and is 29 for 70 in his last 19 games at Angel Stadium.

Chicago tacked on three more in the fourth with the help of two balls that should have been caught and weren’t. Angels centre-fielder Mike Trout started in right for the first time this season due to the absence of nine-time Gold Glove winner Torii Hunter because of his son’s arrest in Texas, and dropped a routine fly ball by Dyan Viciedo with one out in the first.

Viciedo ended up at second base on the error, and Wilson walked the next two batters before Adam Dunn chased the left-hander with a two-run single. David Carpenter came in and Konerko hit a popup to short right field, but the ball fell in front of Kendrick after he called off Trout. It was scored as an RBI single.

“It was right in the sun,” Kendrick said. “I made a mistake and had my sunglasses on my hat, and I should have had them on there. But I still have to make that play, regardless. We can’t allow that to happen. We’ve got to make plays and give the team the best opportunity to win. Today we missed some fly balls, and we’ve got to work on that.”

In the fifth, Alexei Ramirez’s chopper fell between Trout and Kendrick for a hit after a leadoff single by Pierzynski. Viciedo followed with a fly ball to short centre, where Peter Bourjos converged with Trout and Kendrick before making the catch — resulting in a derisive cheer from the crowd of 30,786. Carpenter then fielded Brent Morel’s comebacker and started a double-play.

Viciedo led off the eighth with his sixth homer and third in a four-game span. Three batters later, three-time Gold Glove winner Vernon Wells scaled the fence in front of the left field bullpen and pulled back Gordon Beckham’s bid for a two-run homer.

NOTES: Trumbo had a career-high four hits. … Dunn struck out his first two times up, increasing his major league-worst total to 59, and has at least one in 38 of his first 39 games. He led the majors in strikeouts three consecutive seasons while with Cincinnati (2004-06). … The Angels had gone 54 consecutive innings without an error before Trout’s first miscue of the season in 17 starts in the outfield.

The Associated Press

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Chris Sale pitched effectively into the sixth inning, giving Chicago’s rotation a much-needed solid outing, and the White Sox capitalized on some shoddy defense by the Los Angeles Angels for a 6-1 victory Thursday.

After a three-game stretch in which starters John Danks, Jake Peavy and Gavin Floyd gave up a combined 18 earned runs over 14 1-3 innings, Sale (4-2) restored order in his sixth major league start. The 23-year-old left-hander struck out seven and was working on a three-hit shutout in the sixth when he gave up a one-out homer to Albert Pujols and a double to Mark Trumbo and was replaced by Nate Jones. Trumbo had a career-high four hits.

Sale joined fellow left-hander Steve Rosenberg (1989) as the only White Sox pitchers to give up three runs or less in each of their first six big league starts since divisional play began in 1969. A first-round draft pick in 2010, Sale was used exclusively in relief by the White Sox during his two previous seasons in the big leagues.

C.J. Wilson (4-4) threw 88 pitches in 3 2-3 innings and tied a career high with six walks. He was charged with four runs — one earned — and four hits.

A.J. Pierzynski delivered a two-out RBI single in the third to open the scoring, after flying out with the bases loaded to end the White Sox first. He was 3 for 5 with two RBI singles, and is 29 for 70 in his last 19 games at Angel Stadium.

Chicago tacked on three more in the fourth with the help of two balls that should have been caught and weren’t. Angels center fielder Mike Trout started in right for the first time this season due to the absence of nine-time Gold Glove winner Torii Hunter because of his son’s arrest in Texas, and dropped a routine flyball by Dyan Viciedo with one out in the first.

Viciedo ended up at second base on the error, and Wilson walked the next two batters before Adam Dunn chased the left-hander with a two-run single. David Carpenter came in Paul Konerko hit a popup to short right field, but the ball fell in front of second baseman Howie Kendrick after he called off Trout. It was scored as an RBI single.

In the fifth, Alexei Ramirez’ chopper fell between Trout and Kendrick for a hit after a leadoff single by Pierzynski. Viciedo followed with a flyball to short center, where Peter Bourjos converged with Trout and Kendrick before making the catch — resulting in a derisive cheer from the crowd of 30,786.

Carpenter then fielded Brent Morel’s comebacker and started a double play.

Viciedo led off the eighth with his sixth homer and third in a four-game span. Three batters later, three-time Gold Glove winner Vernon Wells scaled the fence in front of the left field bullpen and pulled back Gordon Beckham’s bid for a two-run homer.

NOTES: Dunn struck out his first two times up, increasing his major league-worst total to 59, and has at least one in 38 of his first 39 games. He led the majors in strikeouts three consecutive seasons while with Cincinnati (2004-06). … Both teams begin their respective interleague schedules on Friday. The Angels are at San Diego, and the White Sox have a day game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Dunn’s 41 career home runs against the Cubs are the second-highest total among active players behind Albert Pujols’ 63. … Wilson also walked six Marlins batters on June 15, 2010, at Miami while pitching for the Texas Rangers. …The Angels had gone 54 consecutive innings without an error before Trout’s first miscue of the season in 17 starts in the outfield.

April saw a three-way race between the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers for first place in the AL Central race.

While Detroit looks to shake off the rust from a slow start and take command of the division, the race for who will keep pace with the Tigers begins. May will be very telling as the Indians and White Sox go head to head a total of 10 times during the month.

Here is a game by game look at the Indians’ May schedule (All Times EDT):

May 1

Indians at Chicago White Sox: 8:10pm (TV: STO, WCIU)

May 2

Indians at Chicago White Sox: 8:10pm (TV: STO, CSN)

May 3

Indians at Chicago White Sox: 8:10pm (TV: STO, WCIU)

May 4

Texas Rangers at Cleveland: 7:05pm (TV: KTXA, STO)

May 5

Texas Rangers at Cleveland: 7:05pm (TV: FSH)

May 6

Texas Rangers at Cleveland: 1:05pm (TV: FSH, STO)

May 7

Chicago White Sox at Cleveland: 1:05pm & 7:05pm (Two Games) (TV: TBD)

May 8

Chicago White Sox at Cleveland: 7:05pm (TV: CSN, STO)

May 9

Chicago White Sox at Cleveland: 7:05pm (TV: CSN, STO)

May 10

Indians at Boston Red Sox: 7:10pm (TV: STO, NESN)

May 11

Indians at Boston Red Sox: 7:10pm (TV: STO, NESN)

May 12

Indians at Boston Red Sox: 7:10pm (TV: STO, NESN)

May 13

Indians at Boston Red Sox: 1:35pm (TV: STO, NESN)

May 14

Indians at Minnesota Twins: 8:10pm (TV: STO, FSNO)

May 15

Indians at Minnesota Twins: 8:10pm (TV: STO, FSNO)

May 16

Seattle Mariners at Cleveland: 7:05pm (TV: ROOT, STO)

May 17

Seattle Mariners at Cleveland: 12:05pm (TV: ROOT, STO)

May 18

Miami Marlins at Cleveland: 7:05pm (TV: FSFL, STO)

May 19

Miami Marlins at Cleveland: 4:05pm (TV: FSFL, STO)

May 20

Miami Marlins at Cleveland: 1:05pm (TV: FSFL, STO)

May 21

Open

May 22

Detroit Tigers at Cleveland: 7:05pm (TV: FSD, STO)

May 23

Detroit Tigers at Cleveland: 7:05pm (TV: FSD, STO)

May 24

Detroit Tigers at Cleveland: 12:05pm (TV: FSD)

May 25

Indians at Chicago White Sox: 8:10pm (TV: STO, CSN)

May 26

Indians at Chicago White Sox: 4:10pm (TV: STO, WGN)

May 27

Indians at Chicago White Sox: 2:10pm (TV: STO, CSN)

May 28

Kansas City Royals at Cleveland: 4:05pm (TV: FSKC, STO)

May 29

Kansas City Royals at Cleveland: 7:05pm (TV: FSKC, STO)

May 30

Kansas City Royals at Cleveland: 12:05pm (TV: TBD)

May 31

Open

CHICAGO — Jake Peavy pitched effectively into the seventh inning and Dayan Viciedo homered and made a key catch Friday as the Chicago White Sox defeated the Detroit Tigers 5-2 in their home opener.

Peavy (1-0) took a one-hitter and a 3-0 lead into the seventh. He walked Miguel Cabrera and Delmon Young’s two-out, two-run homer finished him.

Alex Avila singled off reliever Will Ohman and Jhonny Peralta followed with a double against Addison Reed before Viciedo made a diving catch of Andy Dirks’ sinking liner to left field to end the inning.

In the eighth, Chicago shortstop Alexei Ramirez made a nice stop and shovel to second, starting an inning-ending double play after the Tigers had runners at first and third.

Viciedo hit his first homer with two outs in the fifth to break up a scoreless duel between Peavy and Max Scherzer (0-1). Paul Konerko had an RBI single with two outs in the sixth and then just barely beat the throw home to score on A.J. Pierzynski’s triple into the right-field corner, making it 3-0.

Brent Morel hit an RBI single for Chicago in the eighth after Young misplayed Alejandro De Aza’s fly ball into triple. Morel eventually scored on a wild pitch by Brayan Villarreal.

Hector Santiago pitched the ninth for his third save in as many chances.

Peavy, whose stint with Chicago has been since slowed by injuries since coming to the White Sox in a trade with San Diego late in the 2009 season, allowed only two hits. He struck out eight and walked one in 6 2-3 innings.

Peavy retired the first 10 batters before Brennan Boesch singled sharply to right with one in the fourth.

Scherzer (0-1), who gave up eight hits and seven runs in just 2 2-3 innings in his first start this season against the Red Sox, was much more effective in his second outing.

Scherzer struck out 11, walked one and allowed five hits and three runs in six innings.

NOTES: The teams combined to strike out 25 times — 15 by White Sox batters,  including four by Adam Dunn. … Robin Ventura became the sixth straight White Sox manager to win his debut at U.S. Cellular Field. He and Konerko got loud ovations during introductions. “You feel like you grew up here, so in a lot of ways, it’s coming home,” said the low-key Ventura, who spent a decade as Chicago’s third baseman. Konerko said the communication from Ventura has been good early in the season. “Robin doesn’t say a whole bunch so when he does you know he means it and you pay attention to it.” … The game was delayed nearly 10 minutes in the top of the first when Tigers star Miguel Cabrera pointed out that the batter’s box wasn’t the right size. The grounds crew wiped out the original and created another box with a frame that had to be brought in from center field. … The announced sellout crowd was 38,676. … Tigers INF Brandon Inge could rejoin the club Saturday after an injury rehab (groin) rehab for Triple-A Toledo. …  Adam Wilk (0-0) goes for Detroit on Saturday against Gavin Floyd (0-1). …… Former major league pitcher Kevin Hickey, who was a batting practice pitcher and pregame instructor with the White Sox, remains hospitalized in Texas undergoing tests. He was taken to the hospital the day before the White Sox’s season opener against the Rangers on April 6.

What a difference a year made for Central Coast legend Robin Ventura. Last year at this time, the Arroyo Grande resident was an assistant coach for the Arroyo Grande High varsity baseball team. This year, he is starting his first season as the manager of the Chicago White Sox. KSBY Sports caught up with Ventura recently in Arizona, where the Chicago White Sox hold spring training camp.

After a ten year absence from major league baseball, Ventura is back in black with the White Sox. The former All-Star third baseman is a few weeks into his first spring training as a big league manager. “There are moments when you’re like you figure out you’re the one making those decisions, that’s the fun part,” said Ventura.

Robin is enjoying his new role filling out lineup cards, throwing batting practice, working with prospects and interacting with fans. “The first couple of days it seemed odd but then after that it felt like I never really retired. It’s like what i was used to and the days were normal of what you really remember,” said Ventura.

The Righetti High graduate quickly gained the respect of his players, including former Cal Poly star Brent Morel, who is slated to be Ventura’s starting third baseman. “It’s been nice to have him and the whole staff that he brought with him. We’re all excited to work with him and try to pick his brain a little bit,” said Morel, a second year player. “He was such a great player for a long time we’re hoping he carries that over into managing.”

The biggest difference between being a player and a manger Ventura says is having to wrap his brain around every aspect of the game, as opposed to just his individual performance on the field.

The White Sox are 5-11 as of Monday evening in spring training. Robin admits he doesn’t like losing even exhibitions. More importantly though he sees the team coming together and he expects the White Sox to be contenders in the fall. “You kind of like winning games but it’s the not most important thing right now. The most important thing is getting these kids ready for the season. Pitchers, hitters, we want everybody to be ready for opening day and that’s the main focus.”

The 44 year old Ventura is the focus of many in the baseball world and on the Central Coast because the franchise’s face of the 90′s is back where he says he belongs.

The White Sox open the season April 6 at the home of the Texas Rangers.

Ventura spent the first 10 seasons of his 16 year big league career with the White Sox. He finished his career with 294 home runs, 1,182 RBI, 18 grand slams and six Gold Glove awards.