White Sox beat Brewers 7-2
MILWAUKEE — The White Sox are planning to use Hector Santiago in long relief at the beginning of the season, and the left-hander sure looks ready to go.
Santiago pitched three perfect innings and the White Sox allowed just three hits in a 7-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night.
Matt Lindstrom yielded a two-run homer to Ryan Braun in the fourth, but five relievers then closed it out for Chicago. Donnie Veal, Nate Jones and Addison Reed each pitched a hitless inning.
“It feels good to be on the pitching staff with the arms we have,” Lindstrom said. “We’re busting our butts and doing what we can to put up zeroes.”
Lindstrom said Santiago throws five different pitches.
“When he’s commanding them, he can be really tough,” Lindstrom said.
Adam Dunn went 3 for 3 with two RBIs for the White Sox, who finished with 12 hits. Jeff Keppinger and Paul Konerko each drove in a run.
Braun hit a one-out drive to left after Norichika Aoki reached on an error on shortstop Alexei Ramirez leading off the inning.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t get that ball in far enough on Braunie tonight,” Lindstrom said. “He’s a pretty good hitter, you know.”
Wily Peralta, Milwaukee’s third starter, allowed four runs, two earned, and four hits in 4 1-3 innings. He struck out three and walked three.
“I’m making good pitches. My slider was better today than it was earlier this spring,” he said. “I’m ready to go.”
Jesse Crain pitched the fifth inning for the White Sox in his third appearance in the last five days, strengthening his case for a spot on the opening-day roster. If he feels good after this final test, he’s set. If not, he probably will begin the year on the 15-day disabled list.
Crain pitched in only three games this spring due to a strained right adductor.
White Sox right fielder Alex Rios went 1 for 2 with two walks and scored two runs. He returned to the starting lineup after being sidelined by a sore lower back.
Bryan Anderson hit a solo homer in the ninth for Chicago.
NOTES: Miller Park’s high-definition scoreboard turned white as the Brewers came to bat in the bottom of the first. It finally became black after a short delay and came back up as the Brewers came to bat in the bottom of the second. White Sox starter Hector Santiago stayed warm by throwing extra pitches. ... Ramirez was back after he bruised his right shoulder in Wednesday’s 5-4 win over the Cleveland Indians when Daisuke Matsuzaka hit him with a pitch.