Broadway opening a hit for White Sox
Lance Broadway smelled a little funny after making his first major-league start for the White Sox on Thursday night.
"Don't get too close," Broadway said after the Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 10-0 at U.S. Cellular Field. "You'll get pulled over."
Broadway was pulled aside after the game and doused with beer, a tradition for pitchers who earn their first win in the big leagues.
The 24-year-old right-hander, who was the White Sox' first-round draft pick in 2005, cruised through 6 scoreless innings while allowing 2 hits.
"This kid, his presence on the mound is pretty impressive," said Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "He made pitches, at least today. He was throwing sliders on 3-2 counts. That means you have confidence. He threw the ball real well."
Broadway was a starter at Class AAA Charlotte before joining the White Sox on Sept. 4. He pitched in three games out of the bullpen, and Thursday was his first appearance since Sept. 11.
"Once I got out there and threw the first few pitches, it all felt the same," Broadway said.
Since coming up from Charlotte, Broadway said he's been learning how to throw a cut fastball. Against Kansas City, the youngster said it was his most effective pitch.
Broadway was able to relax after Paul Konerko put the Sox in front with a 3-run homer in the first inning.
"I'll take all the runs I can get," Broadway said. "You always want to go out with a good outing. It was great."
Nearing the end? White Sox shortstop Juan Uribe is likely to be playing for a different team in 2008, considering he has a $5 million club option for 2008.
While he has 20 home runs and 67 RBI, Uribe's low batting average (.233) and on-base percentage (.283) have taken a toll on manager Ozzie Guillen.
"He drives me crazy," Guillen said. "I'll be honest with you, Uribe can drive everyone crazy. All of a sudden, the season is over, you look up and he has 20 home runs and 70 RBI. As the manager, you say: 'How the heck can he do that?' "
If they wind up replacing Uribe with a free agent, the Cardinals' David Eckstein is the logical candidate.
If they opt to trade for a new shortstop, the Sox would likely pursue the Braves' Edgar Renteria, the Pirates' Jack Wilson, the Padres' Khalil Greene or the Orioles' Miguel Tejada.
Guillen, a former shortstop himself, is baffled by Uribe's inability to maximize his skills.
"I don't see any shortstop better out there than Uribe,'' Guillen said. "Maybe equal to him in the field, throwing and catching the ball. But I wish Uribe, at least once, found out how good he his, how dangerous he can be. When your on-base percentage is like that and you hit 20 home runs and 70 RBI every season, it is amazing what you can do.
"But the inconsistency, the strikeouts, he has to come in better shape. So many things he can do, but there are so many things we need him to do to help us.''
Status quo? Manager Ozzie Guillen isn't expected to make any major coaching changes this off-season, but he might tweak his staff a bit.
"We're going to figure out what kind of ballclub we're going to have next year to see what kind of coaches I'm going to have," Guillen said. "But I'm happy with my coaching staff. They don't hit, they don't pitch, they don't catch the ball. Blame the players, or blame me. Don't blame the coaching staff because they're out there every day to help those guys."
White Sox 10, Royals 0
On the mound: Lance Broadway pitched 6 innings and allowed 2 hits while winning his first major-league game. The right-hander also had 8 strikeouts.
At the plate: Paul Konerko hit a 3-run homer in the first inning, his 30th of the season. The first baseman has hit 30 or more home runs in each of the last four seasons.
-- Scot Gregor
Scouting report
White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers at U.S. Cellular Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet today and Saturday; Channel 9 Sunday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The White Sox' Javier Vazquez (14-8) vs. Kenny Rogers (3-3) today at 7:11 p.m.; Gavin Floyd (1-5) vs. Justin Verlander (18-6) Saturday at 6:05 p.m.; Jose Contreras (10-16) vs. Nate Robertson (8-13) Sunday at 1:05 p.m.
At a glance: This is the final series of the season, and it's been a disappointing year for both the Sox and Tigers. The White Sox are trying to avoid their first last-place finish since 1989, and the Tigers will miss the playoffs after advancing to the World Series last season. Vazquez is 11-3 with a 3.51 ERA over his last 17 starts.
-- Scot Gregor