Orioles pick off Podsednik, pick up victory

Scott Podsednik's aggressive nature on the basepaths have served him - and the White Sox - well, both this year and in seasons past.

But the 33-year-old outfielder tends to be overly aggressive at times, transforming him from a spark plug to a dead battery.

That was the case again in the Sox' 5-1 loss to the Orioles on Friday night at U.S. Cellular Field.

Podsednik can't be completely blamed for the defeat, not when the White Sox managed just 7 hits against Baltimore starter Jeremy Guthrie (8-12), who came in with a 5.66 ERA.

But Podsednik definitely set a negative tone in the first inning. After leading off with a single and moving up a base when Gordon Beckham reached on Brian Roberts' error, Podsednik was picked off second.

Instead of jumping out to a quick lead, the Sox were left holding the bag after Jermaine Dye struck out and Jim Thome flied out.

"I think when (Guthrie) picked Pods off second base, he got his second wind," Guillen said. "I don't know how that inning turned around, but when that happens you catch a big break."

The Mariners caught a big break last week when Podsednik was picked off third base in a loss at Seattle. Podsednik also has been picked off two other times this season after rejoining the White Sox on May 1.

"Scotty's a veteran player; he's been around a long time," Guillen said. "But when that happens every week, you scratch your head, 'What's on his mind?' I wish he had more concentration on the basepaths.

"He's going to continue to play, but I hope that doesn't happen again."

At least the White Sox don't have to worry about facing Guthrie again this season. Despite coming into the game leading American League starters in earned runs allowed (88) and home runs allowed (28), Guthrie shut down the Sox at the Cell for the second time in just more than a month.

Guthrie pitched 7 innings Friday and allowed just 1 run - Jim Thome's solo homer in fourth inning. On July 19, he beat the White Sox as he allowed 2 runs in 8 innings.

"It's kind of frustrating," said Thome, who moved past Reggie Jackson into sole possession of 12th place on the all-time list with 564 career home runs. "We've been playing pretty well and Gavin (Floyd) pitched such a great game. But so did (Guthrie).

"At this time of the year, you want to compete and do well and win games. That's the frustrating part."

Floyd (10-8) allowed 4 runs on 7 hits over 71/3 innings. Roberts, the Orioles' leadoff man, hit 2 homers off Floyd and drove in 3 runs.

Roberts' 2-run shot in the eighth inning broke a 1-1 tie.

"It's always frustrating," Floyd said. "It's very disappointing when you do that well that long and one pitch changes the game."

<p class="factboxheadblack">Scot Gregor's game tracker</p> <p class="News">Orioles 5, White Sox 1</p> <p class="News"><b>Friday's grade:</b> D. Aside from Jim Thome's solo homer, the Sox couldn't get anything going against Baltimore right-hander Jeremy Guthrie, who came in leading AL starters in earned runs allowed (88) and HR allowed (28).</p> <p class="News"><b>Floyd falls:</b> White Sox starter Gavin Floyd gave up 4 runs on 7 hits over 71/3 innings while losing for the first time at home since April 24.</p> <p class="News"><b>Thome rises: </b>Jim Thome hit his 564th career home run. That lifts him past Reggie Jackson into 12th place in baseball history.</p> <div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=315571">No timetable for Peavy's return<span class="date"> [8/21/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>