Beckham homers, hits 2 doubles as White Sox beat Reds
GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Gordon Beckham homered and hit two doubles, sending the Chicago White Sox past the Cincinnati Reds 9-4 Wednesday.
Alexei Ramirez added a two-run double off Reds starter Jason Marquis. Geovany Soto homered for the White Sox.
Beckham's first homer this spring was a two-run shot off Pedro Villarreal.
Marquis, set to fill one of the Reds' rotation jobs, retired the first nine batters before walking Emilio Bonafacio and Avisail Garcia in front of Ramirez.
Marquis walked three in five innings. He gave up four runs and five hits.
"Marquis wasn't as sharp as he was in other games," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "The ball was coming back over the plate. He still got a lot of groundballs but pitched from behind in the count more."
White Sox starter Jose Quintana pitched 4 2-3 innings. allowing a run on two hits.
Quintana, who has never had a major league hit, bounced a hard bunt over first baseman Joey Votto's head for an RBI single. It was the first game either team played without the designated hitter.
"I was excited by my first base hit," Quintana said. "I go to the cages when we play National League teams. I have fun. I just tried to make contact."
Price informed the AL teams that they would follow NL rules from this date forward.
"I don't see a reason to give teams an advantage at our park," Price said before the game.
Todd Frazier hit his second homer in as many days, a two-run shot off White Sox closer David Robertson. Frazier also singled and scored another run.
STARTING TIME
Reds: Marquis has apparently won a starting spot. The Reds informed veteran Paul Maholm that he is competing for a bullpen role, eliminating him from the competition.
Marquis allowed one run over nine innings in his three prior outings. Walks hurt him against the White Sox.
"I wasn't as crisp as I was before," he said. "I am working some kinks out when I'm in the stretch. I'm unhappy with the three walks."
Marquis didn't want to discuss his status as a starter.
"I don't make decisions. I never have. I just keep my head down and go about my business," he said.
TRAINER'S ROOM
White Sox: RHP Jesse Crain was scratched from his minor league appearance today. Crain, who has not pitched in a game yet, threw live batting practice on Sunday. ... RHP Nate Jones played long toss on Monday. He is recovering from elbow surgery. ... LHP Chris Sale, who suffered a fractured right foot on February 27, threw off the mound on Thursday and played long toss on Sunday.
Reds: RHP Homer Bailey's second live batting practice session was scratched on Tuesday because he had a stomach virus. The team will determine whether he will throw another one or pitch in the game against Oakland on Sunday.
UP NEXT
White Sox: Off Thursday. RHP Hector Noesi will pitch against the Cubs' Travis Wood on Friday.
Reds: RHP Anthony DeSclafani will pitch against Texas on Thursday, opposing LHP Ross Detwiler. RHP J.J. Hoover, RHP Jumbo Diaz, RHP Kevin Gregg and LHP Manny Parra also will pitch against the Rangers.