SOX 7, ROCKIES 6
Offense breaking loose
With 5.4 runs per game in spring training, hardly indicative of the White Sox’ offensive potential, manager Rick Renteria was asked before the game Thursday when the bats would get as warm as the Arizona weather.
“I’m not too concerned about that,” Renteria said. “I do see some good things. But, obviously, is there some improvement to be had? Yeah. We are in the spring, but hopefully the guys that continue to work and understand what [is] involved will be OK.”
An hour later, Renteria’s team was on its way to a seven-run outburst in a victory over the Rockies, tying its second-highest scoring game of the spring.
Nomar Mazara hit a booming two-run home run in a four-run fifth inning onto the grass berm in right-center field. Mazara had two hits on the day. The Sox had 11 hits, with Danny Mendick delivering three and Cheslor Cuthbert getting two.
Of the 11 hits, 10 were singles, so even more room remains for offensive improvement.
Limit the damage
The Rockies hit four home runs on the 80-degree day, but three of them were solo shots, and one was of the two-run variety.
Starter Drew Anderson allowed two home runs, to Ian Desmond and Drew Butera, and Alex Colome gave up two, to David Dahl and Sam Hilliard. Anderson and Colome gave up all of the Rockies’ runs.
Ross Detwiler, Jose Ruiz, Zack Burdi, Tayron Guerrero and Matt Tomshaw pitched scoreless innings and allowed a combined six hits.
On deck
Sox at Cubs, Mesa, 2:05 p.m. Friday, 720-AM, Lucas Giolito vs. Jon Lester. Aaron Bummer, Steve Cishek, Jimmy Cordero, Kelvin Herrera, Adalberto Mejia, Tyler Johnson, Evan Marshall and Carson Fulmer are also scheduled to pitch.
