More good news for Sox in 4-2 win over Angels
There was a lot to like in the White Sox' game against the Angels on Tuesday night.
As usual, the Sox could have generated some more offense, but they still earned a 4-2 victory.
In the third inning, Josh Fields was stranded after reaching third base with no outs. And in the sixth, the White Sox scored only 1 run after loading the bases with one out.
By why quibble, especially after the Sox put up 17 runs against Los Angeles Monday night in the series opener?
While winning for the sixth time in their last eight games, the White Sox got enough production from second baseman Jayson Nix, who hit a pair of solo home runs off Angels starter Joe Saunders.
They also got RBI singles from Paul Konerko in the sixth inning and Jermaine Dye in the ninth.
Bartolo Colon rebounded from a miserable start against Minnesota in last Thursday's 20-1 loss, pitching 62/3 innings against L.A. and allowing just 1 run on 4 hits. Relievers Matt Thornton and Scott Linebrink were solid in relief of Colon.
The key to the White Sox' win was the defense.
Nix made a standout play at second base, rejuvenated left fielder Scott Podsednik threw out Torii Hunter trying to tag and advance to third base, and Alexei Ramirez made another highlight play at shortstop.
And don't forget about Konerko at first base.
The Sox' captain started a 3-6-3 double play in the fourth inning and scooped up a bad throw from Ramirez in the eighth. If the ball skipped past Konerko, Erik Aybar and Chone Figgins would have likely scored to tie the game.
After missing the past three games to be with his ailing father-in-law in Venezuela, manager Ozzie Guillen was back with the White Sox Tuesday night.
Guillen's father-in-law passed away Saturday and the funeral was held on Sunday.
Bench coach Joey Cora filled in while Guillen was away.
"I was real excited about the way the ballclub played and I think the coaches handled the ballclub," Guillen told reporters. "I appreciate the way they did it. Like I said in the past, I can go for three, four or five days and I know how this ballclub is running and I know how the players are going to play.
"We have that type of ballclub and that type of people and we have that type of relation with the coaching staff. They are playing well and hopefully they continue to play well."
Scot Gregor's game tracker
Quentin update: According to a press release issued Tuesday night, left fielder Carlos Quentin (plantar fasciitis, left foot) is returning to Chicago this morning to be reevaluated. Quentin won't be with the Sox for the rest of the road trip, but he is expected to be back in the lineup Monday vs. Oakland.
All or nothing: Jayson Nix has 9 hits this season and 4 are home runs. The White Sox' utility infielder hit a pair of homers Tuesday night.
On tap: Angels starter Jered Weaver has been a nightmare for the White Sox. Last year, the right-hander pitched 15 scoreless innings vs. the Sox. Over his career, Weaver is 3-0 with a 0.34 ERA (1 earned run in 262/3 innings).