Thome, Contreras lead White Sox over Orioles 3-1
BALTIMORE -- The White Sox continued their impressive ride through the first month of the season Wednesday night, and this time starting pitcher Jose Contreras and designated hitter Jim Thome took turns navigating a 3-1 win over the Orioles at Camden Yards.
The two veterans have been struggling, but Contreras got himself straightened out with 7 solid innings, while Thome provide all of the offense with a 3-run homer in the first inning.
"Things haven't been going real well,'' Thome said after hitting his first home run in 43 at-bats. "But the nice thing is we've been playing well and picking each other up. It's nice to contribute.''
While the Sox have now won nine of 12 after dropping their first two games of the season at Cleveland, Thome (.184) and Paul Konerko (.196) are off to slow starts in the middle of the order.
Following up his 3-run shot off Baltimore starter Adam Loewen with a double in the third inning, it looks like Thome is starting to come around.
"We needed that,'' said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "But I don't worry about Jim. He's the type of hitter, when he gets going he'll carry the ballclub.''
The same used to be said about Contreras, especially after the big right-hander set a franchise record with 17 straight wins in 2005-06. Last year, Contreras took a huge step backward while going 10-17 with a 5.57 ERA.
After allowing 8 earned runs on 16 hits over 11¿ innings in his first 2 starts this season, Contreras was starting to feel the pressure.
"I really prepared myself for this game,'' Contreras said through an interpreter. "You look at our bullpen, they've done a great job. Our young kids have been doing really well and so has the defense and offense. I just said: 'I've got to step it up.' ''
Contreras did just that, allowing just 1 run on 4 hits before giving way to Scott Linebrink in the eighth inning.
"I'm very happy,'' Contreras said. "Very happy for the team first, and for being able to have a strong outing where I threw all my pitches for strikes.''
Contreras really stepped up in the fourth inning.
After the Orioles' Nick Markakis and Kevin Millar reached on consecutive singles with one out, Aubrey Huff followed with another single to score Markakis while Millar advanced to third on Joe Crede's throwing error.
Contreras responded by striking out Luke Scott and getting Adam Jones on a groundout to Crede.
"Outstanding,'' Guillen said. "We needed him to do that and I think he needs it for himself. Hopefully with this game, it carries over the whole season.''