Peavy, a former Cy Young Award winner, gets higher billing because of his consistent track record. Prior to 2009, the right-hander was considered a durable workhorse who had posted an ERA better than league average in four of the last five years. That all changed last year when Peavy suffered a serious ankle injury that sidelined him for much of the season.
The former first-round draftee pitched in just 13 games for the Padres last season, and after being dealt to the White Sox at the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, he recovered in time to make three spectacular starts in September. Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen knows what he has in Peavy, and he hopes that the addition will help the White Sox form an imposing staff.
"When I was playing for Atlanta," said Guillen, "You had [Greg] Maddux, [John] Smoltz, [Tom] Glavine and all those guys there. It's a tough night to sleep in Atlanta when you go play them. I expect the same stuff with this pitching staff. No matter how we pitch, we have five guys that are very hungry. All I can ask is, 'Go there and give us a chance to win.'"
The Indians would love to ask the same from Carmona, who has been all over the map in recent seasons. Carmona managed to win 19 games in 2007, but then he struggled with his control in each of the last two years. Cleveland wound up sending him to the Minors to repair his command last season, and he came back to complete five innings in 10 of his last 12 starts.
Carmona flashed more of his potential in Spring Training, where he logged a 3-0 record and a 1.38 ERA. Opposing hitters batted just .169 against Carmona this spring, and the right-hander hopes to carry his momentum forward.
"I'm ready to go," Carmona said. "I'm taking it easy on the mound and throwing strikes. I'm not trying to do too much. I want to do the same thing here that I did in Spring Training. I'm not going to change anything."
Indians: Veteran a solid utility optionVeteran Mark Grudzielanek made his return to the Major Leagues on Monday, completing a comeback from a season lost due to a serious right ankle injury. The former All-Star started at second base in place of injured youngster Luis Valbuena on Monday, and Grudzielanek may also see time as a reserve at shortstop and third base this season.
Cleveland manager Manny Acta was fairly up-front regarding Valbuena, who sat out the season opener after being hit by a pitch in his right hand during the Spring Training finale. Acta said that he held Valbuena out for precautionary reasons, and he also said there isn't much room for a controversy at second base. "Valbuena's our second baseman," he said.
White Sox: Top-quality starting pitchingChicago led the American League in quality starts (86) last season and has more quality starts (611) since 2003 than any other big-league team. The White Sox will be counting on Peavy to support Mark Buehrle and to provide a bridge to Gavin Floyd and John Danks, both of whom posted double-digit victory totals with an above-average ERA last season.
Third baseman Mark Teahen and left fielder Juan Pierre both went hitless in their debut for the White Sox. Teahen, who came over from the Royals in an offseason trade, struck out and hit into a double play. Pierre, a former Dodger, led off for the White Sox and took an 0-for-4 collar on Monday. Pierre is the game's active leader in stolen bases (459) and bunt hits (165).
Worth noting:Pierre is one double away from 200 for his career, and Teahen is batting .370 (10-for-27) in his career against Carmona. ... Well-traveled veteran Omar Vizquel is one hit away from tying Luis Aparicio for the second-most hits (2,672) by a Major League shortstop. ... Chicago closer Bobby Jenks is 15 saves away from tying Roberto Hernandez for the second-most in franchise history. ... Jhonny Peralta is four home runs away from 100 for his career.
Wed, 4/7 8:10 PM ET
| HITTER | AVG | AB | HR | RBI |
|---|
| HITTER | AVG | AB | HR | RBI |
|---|
Tribe survives Carmona's walk on wild side
Fausto Carmona issued six free passes, but held the White Sox to one hit and avoided the big inning while his teammates shook off their early-season struggles to give the Tribe their first win of the season.
Indians Beat
Photos
| Cleveland | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | LOB | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabrera, A, SS | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .375 |
| Sizemore, G, CF | 5 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .111 |
| Choo, RF | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .286 |
| Hafner, DH | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | .125 |
| Peralta, Jh, 3B | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .167 |
| LaPorta, 1B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .286 |
| 1-Marte, A, PR-1B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Valbuena, 2B | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | .333 |
| Redmond, M, C | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | .000 |
| Brantley, LF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .286 |
| Totals | 36 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 27 | .212 |
1-Ran for LaPorta in the 7th.
| Chi White Sox | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | LOB | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierre, LF | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Beckham, 2B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .286 |
| Quentin, RF | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .200 |
| Konerko, 1B | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .500 |
| Kotsay, DH | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Rios, CF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .167 |
| Pierzynski, C | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .250 |
| Teahen, 3B | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Ramirez, Al, SS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 |
| Totals | 26 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 10 | .148 |
2B: Peralta, Jh (1, Peavy), LaPorta (1, Pena, T).
TB: Cabrera, A 2; Sizemore, G; Choo 2; Peralta, Jh 2; LaPorta 3; Valbuena; Brantley.
RBI: Brantley (1), Sizemore, G 2 (2), LaPorta (1), Marte, A (1).
2-out RBI: Sizemore, G 2; LaPorta.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Hafner 3; Redmond, M 2.
Team RISP: 4-for-12.
Team LOB: 12.
BASERUNNING
SB: Cabrera, A (1, 2nd base off Peavy/Pierzynski), Choo 2 (2, 2nd base off Jenks/Pierzynski, 3rd base off Jenks/Pierzynski).
CS: Cabrera, A (1, 2nd base by Williams/Pierzynski).
PO: Cabrera, A (1st base by Williams).
FIELDING
DP: 2 (Peralta, Jh-Valbuena-LaPorta, Valbuena-Marte, A).
HR: Konerko (2, 3rd inning off Carmona, 1 on, 2 out).
TB: Konerko 4; Pierzynski.
RBI: Konerko 3 (5).
2-out RBI: Konerko 2.
SF: Konerko.
GIDP: Pierzynski; Teahen.
Team RISP: 0-for-1.
Team LOB: 4.
BASERUNNING
SB: Pierre 2 (2, 2nd base off Carmona/Redmond, M, 3rd base off Carmona/Redmond, M).
FIELDING
Pickoffs: Williams (Cabrera, A at 1st base).
HBP: Valbuena (by Peavy), Redmond, M (by Peavy).
Pitches-strikes: Carmona 109-59, Laffey 11-6, Smith, J 6-3, Perez, C 19-10, Peavy 106-67, Williams 21-13, Pena, T 17-9, Thornton 11-8, Jenks 28-13.
Groundouts-flyouts: Carmona 9-4, Laffey 3-0, Smith, J 0-0, Perez, C 2-0, Peavy 3-4, Williams 0-1, Pena, T 2-0, Thornton 2-0, Jenks 1-0.
Batters faced: Carmona 24, Laffey 4, Smith, J 2, Perez, C 4, Peavy 26, Williams 5, Pena, T 4, Thornton 3, Jenks 6.
Inherited runners-scored: Pena, T 1-1.
Umpires: HP: Bill Hohn. 1B: Bruce Dreckman. 2B: Mike Estabrook. 3B: Gary Darling.
Weather: 43 degrees, overcast.
Wind: 15 mph, Out to RF.
T: 3:10.
Att: 19,514.
Compiled by MLB Advanced Media
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