Only rain able to keep Buehrle down this time

If there were any worries that Mark Buehrle would come into Friday night's game against Baltimore with his head hung low after two outings in which he allowed a combined 21 hits in suffering back-to-back losses, the wily lefty quickly eased any doubts.

The first clue that Buehrle was back came Thursday night when he served as catcher for the ceremonial first pitch thrown out by Bears star kick returner Devin Hester.

After catching Hester's high, outside delivery, Buehrle sprinted toward the mound to shake Hester's hand … but at the last minute pulled back his hand, gave Hester a Devin-esque spin move, and ran past him with both arms raised as if he had scored a touchdown, smiling the whole time.

The second clue came in the first inning Friday when Buehrle needed only 6 pitches to mow down the first three Orioles batters he faced.

Then the rains came.

And came.

And never stopped, eventually forcing the game to be postponed after six minutes of action and 2 hours, 21 minutes of lollygagging.

The game was rescheduled today as part of a day-night doubleheader.

So Buehrle's promising start went for naught.

Pitching coach Don Cooper said the Sox will go with John Danks in today's first game (12:05 p.m.), opposing Brian Burres. Nick Masset will take the hill in the nightcap (6:05 p.m.) against Steve Trachsel.

Buehrle will get his next start Monday against the Orioles in the series finale, and no one seems concerned that another skipped start -- his second already this young season -- will mess with Buehrle's mind.

"Nothing screws Buehrle up," Cooper said. "He rolls with whatever comes his way -- always has. He'll probably pitch a very good game Monday; that's what we're looking for."

"One of the pitchers I have the most confidence in is Buehrle because of what he's done in the past," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "I don't worry about him, I really don't."

And Masset isn't worried about stepping in as starter on such short notice.

"I said the other day I have to be ready at all times, so this is the perfect case," Masset said. "I'm looking forward to getting the start."

Cooper is hoping to get anywhere from 3-5 quality innings out of Masset, but the big righty is aiming a little higher.

"I think they'll probably give me 75 to 80 pitches, no more than that," Masset said. "I'm going to try to at least get 5 or 6 (innings) to keep our bullpen steady because you never know what's going to happen in the first game."

Gates to the ballpark will open today at 11 a.m.

Fans should retain their tickets and parking for Friday's postponed contest and use them for today's first game, or they may exchange Friday's tickets for Upper Level tickets to the May 6-8 home dates against the Minnesota Twins (subject to availability).