Peavy Throws as He Expected
Jake Peavy was the version of himself White Sox fans expected after being acquired from the Padres in the middle of 2009. Peavy retired 16 straight Blue Jays, didn't walk anyone and left the game a winner. The only hitch was a pair of homerun's he gave up in the sixth and seventh to John Buck and Alex Gonzalez respectively.
Maybe most encouraging has been the steady improvement in Peavy's performance after a rough start to the season. Peavy thinks the way he's pitching now is much more like him. "I expect to do what I've done the last two times out," Peavy said. "I mean, I told you guys that when I got traded over here. I've had success my whole career, other than a few bumps in the road. Obviously the start of this season was tough. I'd gotten out of whack, mechanically. I told you guys I didn't feel right and we were working on it and it was a work in progress. I think you guys see what it's like for me to go out and be mechanically sound and proficient."
Also a bright sign was the offense stepping up and delivering a cushion for White Sox pitchers to work with. With the help of four walks, a single, double and triple in the seventh the Sox put up four needed insurance runs—three came in with two out.
Sergio Santos threw in relief of Peavy in the ninth and set an auspicious record. By giving up a run on a single by Vernon Wells, Santos set the record for most scoreless innings thrown to start a career for the White Sox (12). Like Jake Peavy told him after the game, "Welcome to the ERA club."
