Sox take safe route with Jackson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Edwin Jackson threw only 7 pitches Friday night before the White Sox-Royals game was postponed due to rain.

Jackson wanted to come right back and pitch Saturday, when the Sox played a doubleheader against Kansas City at Kauffman Stadium.

Request denied.

"I talked to Jackson, he said he was fine, he was ready to go," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "But the smart thing and the right thing to do is just don't pitch him. We've been discussing this since (Friday) night, all the way to a couple of minutes ago. I'm not going to be at the game, holding my breath for three hours while he's on the mound. I won't.

"I would rather lose a game than lose a pitcher and take that risk. I'm not going to take that risk, not with that kid. The only time we've ever done that is with (Mark) Buehrle, but Buehrle can go out and do that, go back out tomorrow because he's that flexible."

In 24 starts this season with the Sox and Diamondbacks, Jackson has thrown 100 or more pitches 16 times. That includes 149 during a June 25 no-hitter at Tampa Bay.

"If something happened to this kid I would feel guilty," Guillen said. "I'm not going to do that. I will put (Mark) Kotsay there for two innings if I have to, or put (Brent) Lillibridge there. I hope I don't have to because that's the worst feeling any manager can go through, but I'm not going to risk someone's year or career for one win. That's not worth it."

Thornton ailing: The White Sox didn't use Matt Thornton in Game 1 Saturday, and manager Ozzie Guillen is hoping to avoid using the left-handed reliever until returning home Tuesday.

"He's just sore, tired," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "He's fine. When the guy told me he was sore it's in the back of my mind. That thing can create bigger problems."

Late night: Kansas City could have done a split doubleheader Saturday night, with Game 1 starting at noon and Game 2 as regularly scheduled at 6:10 p.m.

But the Royals decided to go late night, with Game 1 starting at 6:10. K.C. won in 11 innings, and Game 2 didn't get started until 10:05 p.m.

"Well, that's a decision the Royals made," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Whatever decision they make I have to respect that. I wish it was a little bit different, but it's not. In the many years I've been here, I've never seen a doubleheader that late."

The Sox and Royals are going to wind up playing three games in 24 hours, but Guillen said it's not all bad.

In 2008, the White Sox had to beat the Indians on the final day of the regular season to keep their playoff hopes alive. They did, and also beat the Tigers in a makeup game the following day to pull even with the Twins in the AL Central.

The next day, the Sox beat Minnesota in the division tiebreaker.

"I kind of like it," Guillen said. "In 2008 we did almost the same and we played good. It was crazy but it was fun. It's something we have to deal with and then put it behind."

Remember me? Former White Sox outfielder Brian Anderson is making a rapid climb through the Royals' minor-league system, as a relief pitcher.

The 28-year-old Anderson took up pitching in the spring after failing to make Kansas City's 25-man roster.

Anderson has pitched in for the Royals' Rookie League team, Class A Burlington and he's now at AAA Omaha.

The right-hander has a combined 1.46 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 121/3 innings. He could be called by Kansas City when rosters expand in September.