Rodon shines, but White Sox fall to Padres

SHARE Rodon shines, but White Sox fall to Padres

Padres 5, White Sox 0

Carlos Rodon dazzled for two innings in his Cactus League debut, but the White Sox lost their second straight game Friday against the Padres.

Newly acquired relief pitcher Zach Duke made his White Sox debut and surrendered a pair of earned runs in the fifth inning on a single by Matt Kemp and double by Tim Federowicz.

The Padres added three more runs – one earned – in the seventh against reliever Onelki Garcia.

One positive for the White Sox, other than Rodon, were the two solid innings of relief from Matt Albers. The 32-year-old signed a minor-league deal with Chicago in an effort to come back from an injury-plagued 2014 season in Houston.

Albers struck out two batters, gave up one hit, one walk and allowed no runs.

“He looked good,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “Even seeing him in the past, he’s been pretty durable and could go multiple innings. Nice sinker from him today. He’s a pro the way he goes about it. He throws strikes and not worried about contact either.”

Avisail Garcia was the only White Sox player with two hits, both singles. He’s 4 for 5 with a walk in six spring plate appearances.

Crain throws bullpen session: Pitcher Jesse Crain threw another bullpen session Friday morning and was pleased with the results.

Crain threw all of his pitches, including his slider, in what was his third bullpen session this week as he comes back from biceps tendon surgery last offseason. He hasn’t pitched since 2013, when he had an All-Star first half for the Sox.

He expects to face hitters early next week.

“The slider is always my last pitch to come,” Crain said. “We are working on that, so I threw a couple of good ones and a few bad ones, too. I’m not worried about that whatsoever. That will come. I’ve been able to throw all my pitches and felt good.”

Crain said he’s on pace to return faster than expected, but Ventura has said he won’t rush the pitcher back before Opening Day.

On deck: The White Sox (1-2) return to Camelback Ranch for a 2:05 p.m. CT meeting with the Seattle Mariners.

Hector Noesi will make his first start after breaking through with the White Sox last season. Seattle is expected to start Jordan Pries.

Noesi spent three seasons with the Mariners from 2012-14 before being traded to the Rangers, who designated him for assignment after three appearances.

The Latest
Donald Trump is selling $60 Bibles, and if Jesus had not been resurrected, he most certainly would be rolling over in his grave.
Over the course of just six fast-paced episodes, Esposito creates a memorable character in this crime drama based on the BBC One series “The Driver.”
Ald. Jeanette Taylor, chair of the City Council’s Education Committee chair, said she’s disappointed that Johnson and his allies in the Chicago Teachers Union backed away from the fully-elected, 21-member board he once supported. “This is not going to be as easy a transition as people think,” she said. “We’re used to a top-down system.”
Alex Caruso has been looking for a defensive showing like the one he and his teammates put on display in the win over the Pacers, but Caruso also knows it needs staying power. Could Javonte Green help that process moving forward?
Christian I. Soto, 22, was charged with murder, attempted murder and home invasion, officials announced Thursday. Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd said earlier investigators haven’t determined a motive for the attacks.