Sale strong for White Sox in 1-0 loss
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Chris Sale was disappointed after a pair of rough starts.
He rebounded by pitching 2-hit ball over 6 innings and striking out six Monday as the White Sox lost to the Cincinnati Reds 1-0.
“I want to finish this spring strong,” Sale said. “My first couple (outings) were not where I wanted to be. It was nice to go out there and do what I did today.”
Sale allowed a one-out double to Zack Cozart in the first inning and a single to Cozart leading off the fourth. He retired his final eight batters.
“Obviously, it was my best outing of the spring,” Sale said. “I found a groove and kept going with it.
“I wasn’t trying to throw the nastiest breaking ball I’ve ever thrown or throwing 100 miles an hour on every pitch. Just make pitches instead of trying to do something I’m not capable of doing.”
Sale, who had allowed 8 runs in 7 innings in his previous 2 starts, is moving to the rotation following two seasons in the bullpen.
Brent Lillibridge replaced Alejandro De Aza in center field in the fourth inning. White Sox manager Robin Ventura wanted to get Lillibridge time in the outfield and some at-bats.
Reds starter Homer Bailey gave up 3 hits in 4 scoreless innings. He had allowed 9 runs in his previous 7 innings.
“The big difference today, I was able to keep the ball down,” Bailey said. “My last game was the only one I was unhappy with. I thought I was going to go 5, but they told me to take it easy. I went and threw some more in the bullpen. This is the best I’ve felt.”
Each team finished with 4 hits. Wilson Valdez drove in the only run with a bunt single in the ninth inning after Daryl Jones walked and Miguel Cairo singled against Brian Bruney.
“We talked before the game about doing everything we can to win 1-run games,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said.
ŸThe White Sox optioned right-handed pitchers Anthony Carter, Simon Castro, Deunte Heath and Jhan Marinez; left-handed pitchers Pedro Hernandez, Charlie Leesman and Donnie Veal; and infielder Ozzie Martinez to Triple-A Charlotte; optioned right-hander Nestor Molina and left-hander Jose Quintana to Double-A Birmingham; and reassigned catcher Michael Blanke, infielder Tyler Kuhn and outfielders Jared Mitchell and Trayce Thompson to their minor-league camp.