Torres makes a splash with 7 impressive innings

Beer is plentiful at Wrigley Field, and Carlos Torres was hoping to get a splash or two Thursday afternoon.

The White Sox' 27-year-old starting pitcher got his wish, and a good dousing of suds, shortly after throwing 7 impressive innings against the Cubs in a 5-0 win at Wrigley Field.

"It's my first one," a beaming Torres said in the Sox' cramped clubhouse. "It's my best victory."

And it came at an opportune time.

Having traded Jose Contreras to the Colorado Rockies late Monday night and still waiting on Jake Peavy, the White Sox called on Torres to help keep their faint playoff hopes alive.

A dominant starter with Class AAA Charlotte, where he was 10-4 with a 2.39 ERA, Torres' success didn't follow him to the big leagues in two spot starts with the Sox earlier this season.

On July 22, he pitched 6 decent innings against Tampa Bay, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks.

On Aug. 8, Torres was awful against Cleveland, lasting just 31/3 innings and allowing 4 runs on 3 hits and 6 walks.

"The second start, I couldn't throw any strikes," Torres said after his first major-league win. "This time, I was able to throw strikes and there were just some huge plays behind me. (Right fielder Dewayne) Wise tracked quite a few down and had that great throw to home plate."

Facing a Cubs lineup missing Derrek Lee, Torres allowed 5 hits, struck out six and didn't issue a walk.

"Outstanding," catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. "Front-door slider, sliders back door. Best curveball he's had, best changeup he's had. He moved the ball around, hit his spots. He made a couple of minor mistakes, but he missed them and they popped them up.

"That's what happens sometimes. He battled and a couple situations they had chances, and he struck out (Alfonso) Soriano, struck him out again. And he just battled through it and gave us solid innings."

The White Sox haven't had much luck bringing up young starters from the minor leagues in recent years, but they might have something with Torres.

"He made me smart," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Every time we gamble with kids, it never works. This guy, two out of three is pretty good, especially on this stage. He threw the ball real well; he threw a lot of strikes. This kid's going to compete and he's going to give you the best he has every day."

Even though the White Sox and the Cubs are all but out of the playoff hunt, Wrigley was as loud as ever Thursday.

The atmosphere didn't bother Torres.

"Awesome," said Torres, selected by the Sox on the 15th round of the 2004 draft. "Great atmosphere. You had White Sox and Cubs fans and it was just a great atmosphere. I just tried to do the best I could and tried to help out our team."