First inning biggest problem for Peavy

CLEVELAND - There's an old saying about ace starting pitchers - get to them early or don't get them at all.

That seems to be the case with White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy, who starts against the Indians on Tuesday night.

In his first 9 starts of the season Peavy has been vulnerable in the first inning, as indicated by his 11.00 ERA.

"I think it's more coincidence than anything," said Peavy, who allowed 2 runs in the first inning during his last start, against the Los Angeles Angels, and 3 first-inning runs to the Kansas City Royals in the start before that.

Peavy also allowed 5 runs in the first in an April 28 outing at Texas, but that was before he overhauled his mechanics.

"I can't even refer to those because I was such a lost cause," Peavy said. "Those first 6 or 7 starts, I don't take anything from those.

"I don't think there's anything to it, but obviously I think I've given up some runs in the first inning. I gave up a run in the third and the sixth the other night, too."

Fan favorite: Omar Vizquel made his third start of the season at shortstop Monday, and the former Indians star got big ovations from the small crowd at Progressive Field each time he came up to hit.

Manager Ozzie Guillen said he sat regular shortstop Alexei Ramirez because he was a career 2-for-9 against Cleveland starter Justin Masterson.

"(Masterson) has a pretty good sinker and Ramirez doesn't swing the bat well and it gives Omar an opportunity," Guillen said. "He hasn't played in awhile and it gives Omar some at-bats. A lot of people say you're playing Cleveland. No, it's just because it was a chance for him to play and I didn't like the matchup with Ramirez and (Masterson)."

Coincidentally, when Vizquel singled in the fifth inning it was his 2,674th career hit as a shortstop, tying him with White Sox Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio for second on the all-time list.

Vizquel is wearing Aparicio's uniform No. 11 this season, which had been retired.

Let's play two: Rained out at Detroit last Monday, the Sox and the Tigers will play a day-night doubleheader at Comerica Park on Aug. 3.