Dazzling debut for Jackson in Sox win over Tigers
DETROIT - The White Sox weren't thrilled about losing rookie Daniel Hudson last Friday, knowing full well he has a chance to blossom into a standout starting pitcher.
But they had a good feeling about veteran starter Edwin Jackson, who came over from the Diamondbacks in the Hudson trade.
"I think he knows what's in store," Paul Konerko said. "He was on a couple of teams the last couple of years (Detroit, Tampa Bay) going down to the end playing in a playoff type atmosphere. He knows the next two months, what it's going to bring.
"Hudson would have been fine as well, but you can't have experience until you get it. I think he's going to do great, but Edwin obviously has been there. It's a good move for us, especially if he goes out and throws seven scoreless every time.
That's what Jackson almost did in his debut with the White Sox on Wednesday night at Comerica Park.
Deftly working out trouble in each of the first 4 innings, Hudson rolled through the seventh while allowing just 1 run in the Sox' 4-1 win.
"It was just attacking the strike zone," said Jackson, who allowed 9 hits and had 6 strikeouts and just 1 walk. "Taking chances and making them put the ball in play. A combination of that and just making pitches. The odds are in your favor as a pitcher. A hitter, they get a hit 3 out of 10 times and they're successful. It's a game of just playing the odds and letting the defense work behind me. It's a great defensive team here. Let them work and let them make plays they make on a normal basis."
The Sox muffed some routine plays early, but the 26-year-old Jackson worked out of one jam after another. He also featured a fastball that topped out at 98 mph.
"Great job, he threw strikes," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "I never remember him throwing that hard. (Bench coach) Joey (Cora) told me he's got a pretty good arm, and I don't remember that. That's how much attention I pay to the games. I think the command was outstanding."
Jackson was particularly outstanding against Miguel Cabrera, the Tigers' most dangerous hitter.
Cabrera came to the plate with two runners on base in the first and third innings and the Sox leading 1-0. He flied out both times.
"Both of those outs were on sliders," Cabrera said. "He pitched me differently than before."
Jackson's best pitch has always been the fastball, and he had a good one Wednesday. But the right-hander knows he has to mix it up.
"I'm still capable of throwing hard," Jackson said. "Some days you feel better than others. You can go out there and throw hard and those are the days when you get hit. You still have to locate your pitches. That's the most important part."
Jackson did just that. And he made a great first impression in the process.
<p class="News">Scot Gregor's game tracker</p>
<p class="News">White Sox 4, Tigers 1</p>
<p class="News"><b>Introducing Edwin: </b>In his first start for the Sox since coming over in a trade form Arizona, Edwin Jackson got the win after pitching 7 innings and allowing 1 run on 9 hits and 1 walk.</p>
<p class="News"><b>All American:</b> Who said the American League is tougher on starting pitchers? Since 2008, Jackson is 31-18 with a 3.85 ERA vs. AL teams.</p>
<p class="News"><b>Going deep:</b> Carlos Quentin hit a 2-run homer in the fourth inning, a 430-foot rocket to left field.</p>
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