Floyd gives up first hit by White Sox starter

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Matt LaPorta’s RBI double in the first inning off Gavin Floyd — the first hit allowed by a White Sox starter this spring — got the Indians started and they built a 5-0 lead after three innings en route to an easy victory in Goodyear, Ariz.

Before LaPorta’s hit, the Sox’ five-man rotation of Mark Buehrle, John Danks, Edwin Jackson, Jake Peavy and Floyd had faced 36 batters without allowing a hit. Floyd wasn’t too concerned about being the first starter to give up a knock.

“It’s whatever,” he said with a shrug and smile. “It’s spring.”

Floyd did concede that the strong start is a positive sign for the Sox’ staff.

“That’s what we’re capable of,” he said. “That’s what kind of starting rotation we’ve got. We’re capable of feeding off each other and encouraging each other. I think we have the talent to do something pretty good. I’m not surprised (by the streak) but you know it’s going to end someday.”

Cleveland’s Jason Donald came away with only “a really bad bruise” after he was struck by an inside fastball that got away from Floyd in the first inning.

“It got me pretty good,” Donald said. “It was scary, really scary, because any time you get hit in the hand, you have so many little bones in there, you never know.”

Floyd’s pitch split the skin on the back of Donald’s hand, and as he jogged toward first base, he noticed it was bleeding. Trainer Lonnie Soloff came out and checked on Donald, who remained in the game for another inning before being lifted for a pinch-hitter.

Ÿ On his way to the clubhouse, White Sox SS Omar Vizquel stopped to chat with former Indians manager Mike Hargrove, now working as a consultant with Cleveland. Vizquel and Hargrove spent six seasons together with the Indians. ... Indians OF Chad Huffman, acquired off waivers from the Yankees last season, went 3-for-3, made a diving catch in right and threw out Mark Teahen at the plate. “He’s an interesting guy,” manager Manny Acta said. “He’s making a good impression.”