White Sox Fall To Dodgers, Quentin Homers
The Chicago White Sox had some encouraging offensive production from some key players, however they fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers by a score of 9-7.
Corey Smith and Jaimie Pedroza made the most of their cameo appearance.
Smith and Pedroza homered in the eighth inning after both came over from minor league camp to join the team for the day.
Smith hit a game-tying three-run homer, his second of the spring. Two batters later, Pedroza hit a two-run shot off of Josh Kinney (0-1) to cap the comeback, prompting Dodgers manager Don Mattingly to dub them his "bomb squad."
An inning earlier, Carlos Quentin hit a solo home run to tie the game 4-4 and Gordon Beckham hit a three-run shot to put the White Sox in front. Beckham has four hits and six RBIs in his last two games.
Both home runs came off of Matt Guerrier (1-1), who signed with the club in the offseason. He is expected to play a prominent role in the Dodgers bullpen and Mattingly isn't concerned.
"He's not a guy I worry about because I know he throws the ball where he wants," Mattingly said. "If anything is going on it's usually not getting the ball where he wants or not getting into counts that he likes."
John Ely worked the first five innings for Los Angeles, giving up three runs on six hits while striking out five.
Paul Konerko, Alex Rios and Quentin all drove in runs with two-out hits in the first inning to give the White Sox a 3-0 lead, but Ely bounced back to retire 12 of the last 14 batters he faced to keep Chicago at bay.
Gavin Floyd started for the White Sox, giving up four runs on eight hits over six innings. He struck out four and surrendered no walks. Though he got roughed up a bit, he took it all as a positive.
"Obviously, you don't want to walk anybody or put anybody on. They earned their hits," he said. "It was nice to get in a game situation where you had to focus and had runners. At one point during spring training, you're going to go through it and it prepares you for the season."
Matt Kemp hit his fourth home run of the spring, a two-run shot in the sixth.
Notes: White Sox RHP Jake Peavy was shut down Sunday due to rotator cuff tendinitis and was put on anti-inflammatory medication. ... Manager Ozzie Guillen scratched Peavy from his Thursday start. RHP Phil Humber will start in his place. ... Commissioner Bud Selig attended the game Sunday.
Smith hit a three-run shot to tie the game and Pedroza followed with a two-run homer two batters later to cap the comeback win. Matt Kemp also homered for the Dodgers in the sixth inning.
Gordon Beckham hit a three-run blast for Chicago and Carlos Quentin had a home run and two RBIs. Beckham has two homers and six RBIs in his last two games.
John Ely pitched five innings for Los Angeles, giving up three runs on six hits while striking out five. Matt Guerier (1-1) got the win despite giving up four runs on four hits in one inning.
Gavin Floyd gave up four runs on eight hits over six innings for the White Sox. Josh Kinney (0-1) took the loss, giving up the home runs to Smith and Pedroza.
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