Command issues cost Hudson a win

Nerves? Not really.

Daniel Hudson identified his main problem spot in Sunday's start against the Royals at U.S. Cellular Field.

"I didn't have very good command," Hudson said after lasting just 4 innings and allowing 5 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks. "I really could only throw a fastball for strikes. I pretty much had a zero breaking ball.

"I got some swings and misses on some changeups, but I really didn't have good command. Good hitting teams are going to crush it."

Kansas City certainly did that, but the White Sox were even better at teeing off on Royals starter Anthony Lerew, who was gone after yielding 8 runs on 9 hits (4 home runs) in 22/3 innings.

Hudson, who excelled at Class AAA Charlotte before coming up to take injured Jake Peavy's spot in the rotation, is going to get more chances to succeed.

"I don't mind keeping him," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Not right now. Maybe later we have a different idea."

For now, Hudson is on track to start at Seattle on July 19.

"Hopefully, next time I'll be a little bit better," said Hudson, who was 11-4 with a 3.47 ERA in 17 starts at Charlotte. "Thankfully, (Guillen's) got some confidence in me and I've got confidence in myself. I'll do better next time."

Hudson was doing fine until the fourth inning, when Billy Butler doubled with one out and Jose Guillen followed with a home run.

In the fifth, the 23-year-old right-hander gave up 3 straight hits and was gone.

"First start, I'm sure he was a little excited, a little nervous," catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. "He was kind of all over the place a little bit. I wish we could have gotten him a win. We went out and scored a bunch of runs. He was just behind in the count a little bit today.

"It was a shame he couldn't get 5 innings and get a win, but he'll learn from it and hopefully the next time he goes out he'll be better."