Guillen likes what he sees in Poreda
TUCSON, Ariz. -- White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen went to a "B'' game Monday morning because he wanted to check on three injured players: center fielder Jerry Owens (strained groin), left fielder Carlos Quentin (sore shoulder) and catcher Toby Hall (sore shoulder).
Guillen was more than satisfied with what he saw, but it was Aaron Poreda who left him with the most favorable impression.
"If it was my decision, believe me, I would bring him up here right away,'' Guillen said.
Poreda is a 21-year-old starting pitcher selected by the Sox on the first round of last year's amateur draft.
Facing a team of the Colorado Rockies' top prospects Monday, the 6-foot-6, 240-pound lefty wowed Guillen while pitching 2 scoreless innings. Poreda didn't allow a hit while striking out three and walking one.
"That's a real No. 1 (starter),'' Guillen said. "You will see him here pretty soon. Hopefully he stays healthy.''
Poreda, a University of San Francisco product, pitched for Advanced Rookie Great Falls last year after signing with the White Sox. He was 4-0 with a 1.17 ERA in 12 games (8 starts) and has quickly emerged as the Sox' No. 1 prospect.
"This kid's got a good arm and it's exciting to see him pitch,'' Guillen said. "He might pitch in a (Cactus League) game if we need it to get his feet wet a little bit, see how he feels.''
The other guys: After missing the past week with injuries, Jerry Owens and Carlos Quentin both played well in Monday's minor-league game against the Rockies.
Owens was 2-for-4 with 2 walks and 2 stolen bases. Quentin was 2-for-5.
"I felt good,'' Owens said. "It's just a matter of trusting it. I've been doing a lot of work, getting a lot of treatment and the trainers tell me my strength and flexibility is good and it's a matter of the mental aspect of it and not being afraid to let it go. We'll see what happens.''
While playing in three Cactus League games before being shut down, Quentin said he was basically swinging with one arm. He said Monday's game was different.
"I felt good,'' Quentin said. "It was kind of the first time I swung. Am I there yet? No, I'm not there as far as getting my timing down. But strength-wise, my shoulder feels even better.''
In his first game of any kind this spring, Toby Hall was 1-for-2.
"Everything went good,'' he said. "I made a throw to second and put it right on the money. Whatever the game plan they had for me, it worked. Now we can finish up strong.''
Buehrle struggles: After combining to pitch 6 scoreless innings in his first 2 Cactus League starts, Mark Buehrle allowed 3 runs on 6 hits over 4 innings Monday against the Seattle Mariners.
"I need to get hit around a little bit so it doesn't happen during the season,'' Buehrle said. "You get a good stretch down here and then you get to the season and that's when you start getting hit around. I'd rather get hit around down here than when it counts.''
Still expected to start Opening Day, a March 31 game at Cleveland, Buehrle said he's ready for the season right now.
"I play catch later than most people,'' he said. "I talk to some people that play catch in December. I don't start until the beginning of January, and when I do it's a couple times a week. It's not getting off the mound three times a week.
"I kind of use spring training to get ready. It's just one of those things where it doesn't take me very long. I don't know what the reason is.''
White Sox 9, Mariners 8
White Sox' record: 7-8
At the plate: Nick Swisher's RBI single with one out in the ninth decided the outcome. Jim Thome and Paul Konerko hit back-to-back home runs off Erik Bedard in the first inning.
On the mound: Starter Mark Buehrle pitched 4 innings and allowed 3 runs on 6 hits. Pitching in the ninth with an 8-3 lead, Oneli Perez gave up 5 runs (4 earned) on 5 hits and a walk while recording only one out.
Next: Gavin Floyd starts against the Rangers today in Surprise.
-- Scot Gregor