Peavy finally puts it together in Sox win over Royals

Posted May 03, 2010 11:00 pm

Scot Gregor

White Sox general manager Kenny Williams wasn't out on the ledge before Monday night's game against Kansas City at U.S. Cellular Field, but it's fair to say he was inching his way in that direction.

When asked if he still believed in a Sox team that underachieved its way to a 10-15 start, Williams said: "In another month I'll answer that question."

If Jake Peavy keeps pitching like he finally did in the White Sox' 5-1 win over the Royals, Williams just might like being asked the question again.

Showing brief flashes of brilliance during his first 5 starts of the season - intermixed with lengthier bouts of wildness, mediocrity and even a mechanical overhaul before his April 22 outing against Tampa Bay - Peavy never lost confidence and vowed to eventually put it all together.

The 28-year-old starter finally did against the Royals, throwing a sparkling 7 shutout innings while allowing only 4 hits and striking out nine.

From the first inning, White Sox left fielder Juan Pierre had a feeling it was going to be a big night for Peavy.

"I saw him bouncing around out there like he's always done when he throws well," Pierre said. "He pounded the strike zone and he was aggressive. That's how I'm used to seeing him pitch."

Peavy did pitch well in an April 17 start at Cleveland, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits in 71/3 innings. And he settled down after allowing 5 runs in the first inning in last Thursday's start at Texas.

But much more was expected, and Peavy (1-2) delivered in front of an appreciative crowd of 21,208 at the Cell.

"Any time you win is good," Peavy said. "It's still going to get better, but tonight the arm strength and location all came together and we dictated the game. That's always a good thing. We made some good plays behind me. Just a nice, clean win. That's what you're looking for."

Peavy's fastball, a big concern in spring training and his first 4 starts, topped out at 95 mph. He also threw nasty cutters and sliders and had a good changeup working.

"This is what I came here for," said Peavy, who was acquired in a July 31 trade from San Diego last year. "It's nice to go out there and do what I know I'm capable of. Now I just have to maintain this and keep putting together quality starts, just have a season starting from May on.

"I'm still going to get better with location, but I threw a lot of strikes and my arm strength is there. Anytime I'm able to throw a ball 92, 94 miles an hour and make it move, get ahead with fastballs, it makes everything else a little bit harder and sharper. I felt good."

So do the Sox, who got 2 RBI each from Alex Rios and Andruw Jones along with a solo home run from Alexei Ramirez.

"That's what we expect from him," manager Ozzie Guillen said of Peavy. "He had a few bad games, but in the meanwhile, he had a couple of good ones. He has progressed a lot the last couple of outings and we hope he gets better out there."

<p class="factboxheadblack">Scot Gregor's game tracker</p>

<p class="News">White Sox 5, Royals 1</p>

<p class="News"><b>That's more like it:</b> While winning his first game of the season, Jake Peavy pitched 7 shutout innings and allowed 4 hits. He also retired 13 of the first 14 hitters he faced and set a season high with 9 strikeouts.</p>

<p class="News"><b>He's back:</b> After missing the last two games, Alex Rios returned to the lineup and went 3-for-4 with 2 RBI. An 8-for-21 streak has raised Rios' average to .299.</p>

<p class="News"><b>Seeing blue:</b> Scott Podsednik's solo home run off Sox reliever Scott Linebrink in the ninth inning landed a few rows over the blue seat in right field that marks his game-winning home run from Game 2 of the 2005 World Series.</p>

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