Buehrle’s success vs. NL continues
The legend of Mark Buehrle continues to grow.
The White Sox’ veteran left-hander already has a World Series ring, a perfect game, a standard no-hitter, two Gold Gloves, and he broke former teammate Bobby Jenks’ major-league record by retiring 45 straight hitters in 2009.
On Saturday, Buehrle threw 7 strong innings, allowing 2 runs on 7 hits, to win his 24th interleague game with the 9-2 decision over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He had been tied at 23 with Jamie Moyer for the all-time lead.
What does it mean?
“That I’m old,” the 32-year-old Buehrle said. “And look at me and Moyer, left-handed throwing soft pitches up there.
“But it just means obviously you’ve stayed healthy and have been around awhile. Obviously, interleague hasn’t been around too long (1997), so maybe 50 years down the road when it’s been around awhile and if I’m still leading it, it’ll mean more.”
In addition to claiming the all-time lead in interleague wins, Buehrle is 10-0 with a 1.79 ERA in his last 13 starts against National League teams.
“What can I tell you?” Buehrle said. “Try to show them that the American League’s better. Obviously it comes down to the World Series team, but every year I think it’s nice seeing American League teams winning.
“Obviously, we feel like it’s a better league; just go out there and try to show it.”
Garland roughed up:Now with the Dodgers, former Sox right-hander Jon Garland opposed Mark Buehrle on Saturday in his first start at U.S. Cellular since departing after the 2007 season.Garland took the loss after allowing 7 runs on 11 hits in 3#8532; innings.#147;For me, I was really aggressive today,#148; said Paul Konerko, who was 2-for-2 with 1 RBI against Garland. #147;I#146;m not sure I even took a pitch off of him; I think I swung at every pitch I saw. We had little bits of luck; he#146;s been throwing the ball well. He#146;s having a good year.#147;Today was a bump in the road for him, but I don#146;t think it was anything special we did. If anything we were aggressive and he was around the plate, so some balls were hard hit and some balls found holes that weren#146;t hard hit.#148;Garland obviously was not happy after allowing the most runs in a start since May 29, 2009, and the most hits since July 6, 2007.#147;Regardless of where that happens, it#146;s tough to take,#148; Garland said. #147;I never really felt like I gave us a chance to stay in the game.#148;Quentin scratched:Carlos Quentin was a late scratch Saturday with a bruised left knee.Brent Lillibridge replaced him in right field and had a productive day, going 2-for-3 with a 2-run homer. Lillibridge also made a nice running catch in the seventh inning on a line drive hit by Jamey Carroll.Look for Lillibridge to be back in right field Sunday.#147;Carlos is sore,#148; manager Ozzie Guillen said. #147;He#146;s got a sore knee and I don#146;t want to take any chances to put him out there. I have to make sure I take care of him physically. I#146;ll see how he#146;s doing in Texas. I don#146;t think it#146;s anything serious.#148;As for Lillibridge, he#146;s batting a solid .325 and has as many home runs (4) as Adam Dunn.#147;I think Lilly can make a lot of things happen,#148; Ozzie Guillen said. #147;This kid brings a lot of great stuff to the ballclub.#148;