Don't look now, but Mark Buehrle's
seven-inning, three-run outing in today's victory makes five quality starts in a row from five different starters. Even better -- in the last six games, the Sox have a staff ERA of 2.20. It's maybe the only reason to enjoy the cold.
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With lefty Joe Kennedy starting for Oakland, Brian Anderson received his first start of the season today and looked as good as you can expect from somebody with only one at-bat on the season. Nevertheless, he still managed a +1 in the run column when he saved one from scoring on
a beautiful diving catch with a runner on second.
Now, the question is when will Anderson get his next shot? C.C. Sabathia is slated to start Sunday's game, but it'll likely be an Ozuna-Erstad left-center combo
considering their track records against the hefty lefty. Texas is slated to start Kevin Millwood, Robinson Tejeda, and Fifth Starter Du Jour (Sox fan favorites Brandon McCarthy and Vicente Padilla are scheduled to be the pitchers off).
As far as I can tell, the next scheduled lefty will be Nate Robertson when the Sox visit Detroit April 21, which is nine or 10 days from now depending on your time zone. That's a long time, especially with the way Darin Erstad is swinging the bat recently.
In his last four games, Erstad is 1-for-12 with some pretty awful at-bats, even from an aesthetic standpoint. Fortunately, he did convert with runners in scoring position with a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, which was just deep enough for Juan Uribe to score. The at-bat before, when he came in to hit for Anderson, he struck out flailing at a pitch off the outside corner.
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Minor league round-up:
- Birmingham 5, Mobile 1 (Game 1, 7 innings)
- After a lackluster start to open the season, Adam Russell dominated, throwing six scoreless innings, allowing six hits and two walks while striking out eight.
- Thomas Collaro went 3-for-4 with three doubles.
- Robert Valido had two RBI on a fielder's choice and a single.
- Birmingham 5, Mobile 2 (Game 2, 7 innings)
- Gio Gonzalez finally gave up a hit. Actually, he gave up six of them in 5 1/3 innings, but only allowed two runs while striking out six for the win.
- Dewon Day struck out five of the six batters he faced to earn the save in the shortened game. He currently has 10 strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings, with only one walk.
- Cory Aldridge continues to be the Barons' hottest hitter. He went 2-for-2 with two walks tonight, pushing his OBP up to .593. He's 9-for-20 this year with seven walks. But he's also 27, so, yeah.
- Chris Getz excelled from the leadoff spot once again, going 1-for-2 with two walks. He's sporting a .484 OBP.
- Valido couldn't carry the momentum into the nightcap: after an 0-for-4, three-strikeout night, he's batting .077 (2-for-26).
- Rome 11, Kannapolis 3
- Jacob Rasner, the third pitcher acquired in the Brandon McCarthy trade, was knocked around, giving up eight hits and six runs in four innings. Two of the hits left the yard.
- With a double tonight, Archie Gilbert has a hit in all five games he's played so far. He's leading the Intimidators with a .333 average.
- Charlotte vs. Syracuse PPD
- Winston-Salem vs. Myrtle Beach PPD