OK White Sox fans are ready to start the season
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Perhaps the only thing hotter than Jose Abreu this spring is the Arizona weather, which has produced record temperatures for much of the past week.
Apparently that’s the only thing keeping Abreu from hitting .700. The White Sox first baseman doubled twice and went 4-for-4 in Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers to raise his spring slash line to .519/.527/.692 with a homer and eight RBIs. Abreu has 27 hits in 52 at-bats.
“Right now I am very glad about what my results are and I think I can keep the momentum into the season,” Abreu said through an interpreter. “I’m ready for the season. I am anxious and tired because the sun is so hot here.”
He hasn’t been in the sun too long to think he can keep up his torrid pace, either. Abreu shook his head when asked if he could keep up his current pace. He wouldn’t agree to hitting .400, either.
“Hitting is something that is very difficult,” Abreu said. “I’m glad right now that our season is approaching and I hope to continue this in the season. I want to keep the rhythm and approach once the season begins.”
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-- Carlos Rodon said he threw 20 changeups during a 94-pitch outing. Rodon, who allowed a run and four hits in 5 1/3 innings, has begun to feel more comfortable with his third-best pitch. He did allow his one run on a solo home run by Chris Heisey but likes how the changeup has come along this spring.
“It was really awesome,” catcher Geovany Soto said of Rodon’s changeup. “He’s more of a slider/fastball guy, but his changeup was really good. Only one mistake on the homer. But I thought he was really awesome today.”
-- Jesse Crain has been throwing for a week and has played long toss from 120 feet, he said. Crain said his shoulder has started to regain strength after a setback earlier this month. He is set to stay behind in extended spring training when the team heads to the Midwest on Thursday.
“It’s coming along,” Crain said. “I seem to be climbing again. I’m not putting a time frame on anything, but I’m moving forward again.
“I’m moving it back pretty good.”
-- Reliever Kyle Drabek pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings in his first appearance for the White Sox. Zach Duke got one out while Jairo Ascenio struck out two over two scoreless innings.
-- Infielder Carlos Sanchez went 2-for-4 and is hitting .371 this
