CLEVELAND -- It may be a small sample size, but the
Chicago White Sox certainly get a passing grade for winning three out of five to begin their season on the road.
On Wednesday the offense put up plenty of support for starter
John Danks in a 10-6 victory over the
Cleveland Indians. Danks, who lost on Opening Day in Texas, did not have his best stuff, allowing four runs in 5 2/3 innings but benefited from the support to earn the win.
“It was a tough day to pitch,” Danks said in reference to the cold, damp conditions . ”Every pitcher that came in there struggled. It was cold but both teams had to play.”
Danks got plenty of run support early as the Sox posted four runs in the first inning off Cleveland starter
Justin Masterson. Danks will take the win, especially after starting the 2011 season 0-8 and waiting until June to get his first victory.
“I’m happy to get it, especially against Justin Masterson, who is one of the best pitchers in baseball,” Danks said.
The Sox added runs for Danks as he pushed his way into the sixth inning.
A.J. Pierzynski had the deciding blow in the Sox’s five-run sixth inning, hitting a three-run home run off
Rafael Perez.
“He hung me a slider,” said Pierzynski, who was 3 for 4 with four RBIs. “I have been facing [Perez] a long time, and (he) makes good slider, good slider, good slider so he finally hung one, and I didn’t miss it.”
Pierzynski‘s blast was the second home run in the inning after
Alejandro De Aza started the scoring with a two-run homer. The 10 runs doubled the Sox’s offensive output in the first four games.
“I don’t think you ever feel comfortable with a lead even going back to my playing days,” manager Robin Ventura said. “I feel comfortable that we had good pitching to come into the game late.”
The Sox won the two-game series from the Indians after Tuesday night’s game was postponed due to bad conditions. They go back to Chicago for Friday’s home opener against the
Detroit Tigers with a winning record at 3-2.
“It creates a good bond when you win those days when you get away and get on the plane,” Ventura said. “It’s good for a team to build that confidence when you are getting out of town somewhere.”
