Peavy shuts down Cubs in warmup for WBC; Sox come back

Next up for San Diego Padres ace Jake Peavy is a start for the United States in its World Baseball Classic opener against Canada on Saturday.

Peavy warmed up for the marquee assignment with 3 crisp, scoreless innings in a 4-2 win over the Cubs on Sunday in Peoria, Ariz.

"I feel prepared that I can go up there and throw all my pitches with maybe a little more intensity than there was today and be able to get outs and be productive for Team USA and still be working toward my eventual progress to start Opening Day," Peavy said after allowing only a leadoff single to Ryan Theriot while facing the minimum nine batters. He threw 33 pitches.

Peavy said it's a huge honor to be picked to pitch for Team USA and to draw the opening start.

"It's exciting," he said.

The Cubs were interested in obtaining Peavy during the off-season, when the Padres tried to move their ace in an attempt to trim payroll due in large part to owner John Moores' difficult divorce. Peavy, who had a full no-trade clause, told the Padres he was interested in going to the Cubs.

The Cubs pulled out of talks at the winter meetings. The Braves also had been interested before shifting their focus elsewhere.

Peavy said facing the Cubs didn't matter.

"I feel like I'm a professional and I had to go out and get my work done today. It's spring training. Nothing gets you too riled up. No emotions, nothing like that," he said.

Cubs starter Ryan Dempster allowed 3 unearned runs in 2 innings. He yielded 2 hits, walked one and struck out one.

"He threw the ball well," manager Lou Piniella said. "Results weren't good, but we were pleased with the way he threw it."

Prior feels good: Padres RHP Mark Prior said he felt good Sunday, a day after his most recent bullpen session. Trying to rebound from shoulder surgery in June, Prior said he threw 55-60 pitches, "so obviously that's a good sign for endurance. It's coming. I think yesterday was probably one of the first days where I felt, 'OK, things are starting to kind of round into form a little bit,' so that was nice."

Prior hasn't pitched in the big leagues since Aug. 10, 2006, with the Cubs.

Bradley update: Cubs OF Milton Bradley took batting practice in Mesa. He's had only one at-bat this spring, leaving Thursday's game with tightness in his left thigh.

White Sox 3, Dodgers 2

Los Angeles carried a 2-0 lead into the ninth inning against the White Sox, but Gordon Beckham led off with a long home run off Victor Garate. The White Sox then loaded the bases, and Brandon Allen and Michael Restovich each drove in a run with a fielder's choice.

Hiroki Kuroda, Eric Milton and Claudio Vargas threw 2 scoreless innings apiece for Los Angeles. Mark Loretta and Blake DeWitt had RBI singles.

Mark Buehrle worked 2 scoreless innings for the White Sox. He struck out two, walked one and allowed 1 hit.