Buehrle downplays anniversary of no-hitter
BALTIMORE -- Today marks the one-year anniversary of White Sox starting pitcher Mark Buehrle's no-hitter against the Texas Rangers.
Insert shrug here.
"It's not like I'm going to go out and get myself a present or something,'' Buehrle said. "It's the one-year anniversary and it's nice and all, but it really doesn't mean anything.''
Buehrle, who starts against Tampa Bay on Saturday, threw the 16th no-hitter in franchise history while beating the Rangers 6-0 at U.S. Cellular Field. It was the first for the Sox since Aug. 11, 1991, when Wilson Alvarez no-hit the Orioles.
In a season marred by 90 losses, Buehrle's gem was one of the few bright lights.
"As bad as the season was, we had that, Bobby (Jenks' 41) consecutive outs and Jim (Thome's) 500th home run,'' Buehrle said. "Everything else about the season was miserable.''
Since Buehrle usually ranks among league leaders in hits allowed, his accomplishment against Texas was a huge surprise.
"The first thing that goes through my mind is, how did that happen?'' said Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "Not because he's not capable of doing it, it's just because he's the type of pitcher where the ball will be put in play a good percent of the time. For him to throw a no-hitter, he has to be right on the spot at the right time.''
Buehrle had a bet with former rotation mate Jon Garland on who would throw the first no-hitter.
"Neither one of us ever thought we'd ever get one, but you never know,'' Buehrle said.
At the end of last season, Garland (now with the Los Angeles Angels) presented Buehrle with a painting commemorating the no-hitter. Noted sports artist Vernon Wells Sr., father of Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells, did the portrait.
Status quo: The White Sox rolled out their regular lineup again Thursday -- CF Nick Swisher, SS Orlando Cabrera, DH Jim Thome, 1B Paul Konerko, RF Jermaine Dye, C A.J. Pierzynski, LF Carlos Quentin, 3B Joe Crede and 2B Juan Uribe.
Why mess with success?
"I've got to take advantage the most I can with the way we are playing right now,'' said manager Ozzie Guillen. "I don't expect any player after he's sitting there for 15 days to get the best out of him. That's not fair. It's not easy to come from the bench and perform the best you can.
"It's not easy to be a backup player in the American League. You don't know when you are going to play or how you are going to be used. I'm pretty pleased with the way our bench prepares itself every day. Every time we pinch run or pinch hit, put someone in for defense, they seem like they are ready. Maybe later on in the season, we will give them more playing time.''
Special guest: Former bullpen coach Art "Cave'' Kusnyer is expected to drop in on the White Sox before Saturday's game against Tampa Bay. Kusnyer was with the Sox the last 11 seasons before being reassigned as minor-league bullpen instructor.
Beloved for his quick wit and legendary stories, Kusnyer is still recovering from September eye surgery. Kusnyer's wife, Judy, is expected to drive him up from nearby Sarasota, Fla.
Scouting report
White Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet today and Sunday; Channel 9 Saturday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The Sox' Javier Vazquez (2-1) vs. Jeff Niemann (1-0) today at 6:10 p.m.; Mark Buehrle (1-1) vs. Andy Sonnanstine (1-1) Saturday at 6:10 p.m.; John Danks (1-1) vs. Edwin Jackson (2-1) Sunday at 12:40 p.m.
At a glance: Tampa Bay is no longer the Devil Rays, but they again occupy last place in the AL East. In their first 10 years of existence, the Rays have finished last nine times. The White Sox were 6-1 vs. Tampa Bay last season (4-0 on the road). Sox DH Jim Thome has played 25 career games at Tropicana Field and reached base safely in every one.
Next: New York Yankees at U.S. Cellular Field, Tuesday-Thursday
-- Scot Gregor