Sox' Sale impresses in his first start

Radio broadcaster Ed Farmer was on the rampage again Monday night, criticizing all of the critics who have been taking shots at the White Sox' minor-league system.

Farmer went so far as to say the analysts giving failing grades to the Sox' farm system “couldn't scout Cooperstown.”

Pretty strong stuff, and it was a pretty good 4-2 White Sox victory over the Cleveland Indians in the first of a three-game series at Progressive Field.

But let's look at the Sox' low minor-league ranking a different way.

Maybe there's a reason so few prospects are gaining attention. Maybe it's because they already are on the 25-man roster.

After being drafted on the first round in 2010, Chris Sale pitched a grand total of 11 minor-league games before joining the White Sox' bullpen in early August.

The left-hander was the first member of the 2010 draft class to make it to the majors.

It was the same story for Gordon Beckham, who played only 59 minor-league games before making the jump to the big leagues.

Addison Reed is yet another example. The reliever already is establishing himself with the White Sox after only 56 minor-league appearances.

Sale made his first start for the Sox on Monday night and pitched very well, allowing 1 run in 6 innings.

“First one,” Sale told reporters after earning his first win as a starter. “So far, so good.”

The White Sox jumped on Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin early. Alejandro De Aza led off the game with a home run, and A.J. Pierzynski added a 2-run shot later in the first inning.

“It's nice for any starter to get a lead,” manager Robin Ventura told reporters. “To get those runs early, it takes the stress off him, at least going out for the first inning, and he got into a groove there and got into the seventh.”

Reed, Matt Thornton and new closer Hector Santiago completed the game after Sale threw 100 pitches.

Santiago did allow a home run to Jose Lopez leading off the ninth inning, but the left-hander got the next three Indians hitters and earned his second save in as many tries.

“That stuff's going to happen,” Ventura said. “You hate to say you like to see that happen, but at least the first time it happens it won't be a 1-run game. (Santiago's) going to give up a run here or there, but the object of what he's doing is to keep them from tying it back up.”

Mission accomplished for Santiago, whom the Sox selected on the 30th round of the 2006 draft.

And what a start for Sale, who many thought should have replaced Sergio Santos as the closer.

Sale quickly showed what he can do as a starter.

“He threw great,” Ventura said. “We probably could have left him in there. Very happy with what he did tonight. He had velocity and a slider to go with it. He's been kind of doing that all spring, and it's kind of nice to see him bring that outside of Arizona.”

Cleveland manager Many Acta stacked his lineup with right-handed hitters, to no avail.

“(Sale) was overpowering at times,” Acta said. “He had a good fastball with tail and a sharp slider. He's very deceptive and runs into the 90s with sink.”

sgregor@dailyherald.com