White Sox’ Humber gets closer to perfect
There was one bright spot in the White Sox’ 9-1 loss to the Royals on Sunday.
Philip Humber pitched a lot more like the guy who threw a perfect game April 21 than the one who allowed 20 earned runs in 13 innings over his last 3 starts.
“It’s going out there and competing, having fun and doing what I know how to do,” Humber said after pitching 6 innings against Kansas City and allowing 1 run on 4 hits.
“I wanted to give the team a chance to win, and I feel like we had an opportunity there. We just didn’t get it done today.”
Humber did get it done, and he explained why.
“I think just more focus,” he said. “Not that you’re ever not trying. Just being more of a competitor. Seeing the target and going right at it, not worrying about the results.
“That’s how you have fun as a ballplayer, just going out there and letting it all hang out. It was definitely a step in the right direction.”
Dunn to outfield?
The White Sox travel to Wrigley Field for three games against the Cubs this weekend, and you know what that means.
No designated hitter.
Traveling to National League stadiums actually was a good thing for Adam Dunn last season, because he didn’t have to play.
This is a new year, and Dunn has looked like his old self at the plate.
With Paul Konerko entrenched at first base, Sox manager Robin Ventura said Dunn is going to play left field at Wrigley, possibly in all three games.
“We had him out there (left field) in spring training, I think a couple times,” Ventura said. “We’ll find a way for him to get in there. The way he’s swinging it and what he does for our lineup, you need to find a way to get him in there.”
Dunn started two games in right field for the White Sox last season. In 2009, he played 88 games in right and left fields with the Washington Nationals.
Feeling good:
Chris Sale reported no soreness — or pain — after returning to the starting rotation Saturday night.
Sale, who had an MRI on his throwing (left) elbow Thursday that came back clean, threw 103 pitches in 5 innings. He settled down after throwing 42 pitches in the first inning.
“I feel lot better on this day 1 than (after) the last few (starts),” Sale said. “I’m just trying to build up and stay up on things and making sure we dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s.
“Usually it’s day 2, that’s the day (for soreness). As far as today goes, everything went well and my body feels good. I got a workout and a shoulder program in.”
Crain ready?
Jesse Crain needed only 9 pitches to throw 1 perfect inning for Class AAA Charlotte on Sunday. On the disabled list with a strained left oblique, Crain also pitched a scoreless inning Friday.
The right-handed reliever is expected to come off the DL before tonight’s game against the Detroit Tigers.
Think pink:
In honor of Mother’s Day and breast cancer awareness, Adam Dunn, Alex Rios, Brent Morel and A.J. Pierzynski used pink bats against the Royals on Sunday. Paul Konerko wore pink cleats.
“I think what major-league baseball does as far as honoring this day and breast cancer awareness, it’s a big day, and we like to show support,” manager Robin Ventura said.
“I think guys realize what their moms have done and what their wives do as far as raising the kids while you’re gone. It’s an important day for us.”