Peavy finally pitches for Sox, goes 5 innings, Royals buried 13-3

Posted September 18, 2009 11:00 pm

Scot Gregor

Jake Peavy is going to have much better days in a White Sox uniform, of that he is quite certain.

But, all things considered, Peavy's first day on the job with the Sox went about as well as expected.

Finally making his White Sox debut after coming over in a July 31 trade from the San Diego Padres, Peavy worked 5 innings and showed flashes of his 2007 Cy Young Award form.

In the end, the 28-year-old right-hander got the win after the Sox put up 4 runs in the fifth inning and 6 more in the eighth to bury the Royals 13-3 at U.S. Cellular Field.

Making his first start since June 8, Peavy bounced back from ankle and elbow injuries and allowed 3 runs on 3 hits. He also had 2 walks and 5 strikeouts.

"Once you get out there, it is like riding a bike," Peavy said. "It comes back to you. You certainly are comfortable in that surrounding. I did some things well, and I did some things not so well. I have a long way to go to be where I want to be. But I'll take my chances with 13 (runs) any time."

Peavy's fastball topped out at 94 mph, and he had impressive movement, particularly on the slider.

"I thought he pretty much came right at us," said Kansas City first baseman Billy Butler, who hit a solo home run off Peavy in the third inning. "He challenged us. Pretty much fastball, slider. He came out there and challenged us and found the strike zone."

Of the 73 pitches Peavy threw, 47 were strikes.

Know this about the new starter and potential 2010 ace - he demands a lot from himself and his teammates.

"I did throw some good sliders, but I threw some bad ones as well," Peavy said. "The thing that bugs me tonight are the walks. The walk to (Miguel) Olivo was crucial. I gave up a 2-strike hit to (Alberto) Callaspo to lead that (second) inning off. We worked awfully hard in the bullpen to simulate the game.

"So when you get out there, sometimes that extra adrenalin is what you need for a pitch to be sharper. I think that was a little bit of the case tonight with the breaking balls."

Peavy expects to be sore today, but he should be able to make 2 more starts for the Sox this season.

"I'm going to get better," Peavy said. "Arm strength is going to get better. I'm used to having more arm strength and having a little more giddy up. It will all come in time. I'm not so sure how it will come along this year because I'm so far behind, but it felt good to get out there and compete."

The crowd of 28,329 gave Peavy a rousing welcome when he warmed up before the game and throughout his 5-inning stint.

"This was fun," Peavy said. "The fans were great walking out to the bullpen, standing up and clapping, and there was quite a crowd around the bullpen. That's fun.

"I'm excited to be a Chicago White Sox. I said that from the day I got over here. I want them to know I'll give this organization, this team, this city every bit of me. They will have every bit of me I can give."

As he showed Saturday, Peavy is off to a good start.

Scot Gregor's game tracker White Sox 13, Royals 3 Peavy debuts: In his first start for the Sox, Jake Peavy got the win after pitching 5 innings and allowing 3 runs on 3 hits. Remember me? Carlos Quentin hit the second grand slam of his career and drove in 4 runs for the first time since April 13. Remember me II? Alex Rios (2-for-5) drove in his first run since Aug. 28.