For pitchers, Spring Training preparation for the season normally includes live batting practice, intrasquad outings and simulated games.
John Danks got something extra Tuesday: simulated Chicago.
And for that, he was grateful after hurling three sharp innings against the San Francisco Giants in an eventual 6-2 Cactus League defeat in Scottsdale Stadium.
"Going into the game, I'm thinking, 'OK, it's cool and it's damp. Let's see how it goes.' And everything was perfect," Danks said shortly after coming off the mound.
Delayed an hour by steady rainfall, the exhibition's first pitch was delivered by Matt Cain in 50-degree weather. Not exactly typical Cactus League weather, and closer to what it will be in U.S. Cellular Field on April 10 when Danks makes his first regular-season start against the Twins.
"It'll probably be a bit more chilly, but this was close enough," Danks said. "That was very much on my mind. It was great.
"I'm glad the sun came out. I felt really good. It was a good outing. Now we just have to continue the work of stretching out and getting ready for April."
Another good outing: In two starts and five innings, the 24-year-old left-hander has yet to allow a run. On Tuesday, he walked one and used a wicked breaking ball to strike out four.
The only two hits off him were consecutive singles to start the second by Mark DeRosa and Buster Posey, creating a jam Danks escaped when Andres Torres' line drive was turned into a double play by shortstop Omar Vizquel, the former Giant.
Vizquel thus enjoyed the reunion Tuesday more than 2004-08 White Sox infielder Juan Uribe, who was sent into contortions as he tried to track a first-inning Danks changeup, which he badly missed for a strikeout.
"It was all I could do to keep from laughing, the way the bench was getting on him," Danks said. "Seriously, it was fun to come back and see him. He was a good guy to play with, a very good teammate."
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was just impressed with Danks' audacity, and ability, to throw a full-count changeup on March 9.
"That says a lot about how sharp he was," Guillen said.
No comments:
Post a Comment