Thursday, February 28, 2013

 

The White Sox (3-1-2) dropped a close 4-3 decision to the Brewers today at Maryvale, their first loss of the spring. Gordon Beckham and Tyler Saladino each singled in a run, Josh Bell smashed a ninth inning solo homer and Alejandro De Aza collected two singles. Starter Scott Snodgress gave up a pair of runs, including a homer, on a pair of hits in three innings–in an outing that pleased Robin Ventura. Dylan Axelrod gave up a lone hit in two scoreless frames and Zach Stewart and Matt Lindstrom each blanked the Brewers in their one-inning stints.

 

“I grew up playing shortstop all my life, high school, college and played about 25 games at Charlotte, it’s fun to be out there again,” Morel said after the game. “My goal is still to play third base everyday, that has to be your mindset, but if they want me to play other positions in order for me to break camp on the 25-man roster, I’ll do anything for that.”

 

Heading into today’s game with the Brewers, the White Sox led the Cactus League in triples (six) and on-base percentage (.399), were second in average (.317 and slugging percentage (.532), third in runs scored (42) and RBI (40) and fourth in home runs (seven)…Sox pitchers ranked second in the CL opponents average (.238) and fourth in ERA (4.20)…Seth Loman was tied for second in the CL with six RBI, ranked third with a 1.000 slugging percentage and is tied for third with two homers.

New bullpen coach Bobby Thigpen, who once held the single-season major league record for saves (57) as a member of the Sox, on the makeup of the bullpen: “Potentially we could have one of the best in baseball. I really believe that. We’ve got power arms and we’ve got a good mix of veterans and young guys.”

Sox rightfielder Keenyn Walker nailed the Brewers’ Jonathan Lucroy at the plate for the third out of the fourth inning after Lucroy attempted to score from second on Caleb Gindl’s single.

White Sox vs. Cleveland at Goodyear (2:05 p.m., Chicago time). Chris Sale makes his first spring training start vs. the Indians’ Justin Masterson. 

 

Starting lineup: De Aza, cf; Beckham, 2b; Rios, rf; Dunn, 1b; Viciedo, rf; Gimenez, c; Morel, 3b; Jordan Danks, dh; Marcus Semien, ss.  

…that White Sox non-roster invitee Steve Tolleson, an infielder, is the son of former major league infielder Wayne, who played for the Sox (1986) during his10-year major league career.

Photo of the Day