Alexei Ramirez launched a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning against the Angels’ Scott Kazmir, letting the Angels know that the 11-run shutout game against the Royals the night before was over. A phenomenal warning track diving catch by White Sox right fielder Carlos Quentin moments earlier brought a standing ovation to Chicago that would pull the White Sox for the early portion of Monday evening’s game.
New call-ups Cory Aldridge and Paul McAnulty both found themselves in Mike Scioscia’s starting lineup Monday. Jeff Mathis, Mike Napoli, and Juan Rivera were out of the lineup, as Hideki Matsui took left field for the second consecutive night.
Floyd’s second strikeout assisted a one, two, three top of the second inning, as Chicago looked to add on early. Scott Kazmir came into the game with 55 strikeouts in 81 innings. Kazmir allowed a five-pitch walk and put leadoff hitter Andruw Jones on base for A.J. Pierzynski, who flew out to Matsui in left. Viciedo popped a foul ball out, followed by Lillibridge, who hit an RBI double after Jones stole second base to make it 2-0 Chicago.
Howie Kendrick, snubbed for the 2010 All-Star Game by the Baltimore Orioles representative, Ty Wigginton, drove his second hit into the outfield in the top of the fourth, leading off the inning for the Angels. Abreu hit into the second double play of the game to that point. Four hits and no runs through five frames made the two-run Chicago lead more significant as the game pressed on.
The defense helped reduce further damage with the Angels’ second double play in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Kazmir settled down from his shaky start. Erick Aybar’s leadoff double was a promising start to the sixth inning, and Kendrick grounded out to advance Aybar to third base. Aybar then scored on a sacrifice by Bobby Abreu to make the game 2-1 Chicago.
Kazmir looked a little rattled again, walking Juan Pierre with four straight throws in the bottom of the sixth. Pitching coach Mike Butcher came out to settle Kazmir down, but White Sox captain Paul Konerko was able to drive in the third run on a slider that scored Pierre on the 90th pitch from Kazmir. Quentin smacked a two-run home run on a full count to make it a 5-1 lead.
With the Angels unable to answer in the top of the seventh, Dayan Viciedo added another solo home run, the first of his career, down the line to make the game 6-1 White Sox. Lillibridge was walked on four pitches and stole second base for his first steal. A walk to Pierre ensued and Rich Thompson was called in to relieve Kazmir.
The game that was already busted open got worse with a base hit, scoring Lillibridge. This made seven runs, a season high for Scott Kazmir.
Kendrick added his third hit to bring the deficit to five runs and score Bobby Wilson, who walked to first base against Bobby Jenks. Jenks was pulled after walking Torii hunter and his 24th pitch of his first outing in a few weeks.
Erick Threets, of Hayward, California, replaced Jenks in his 13th career big league appearance. Threets walked Matsui and the bases were loaded for pinch-hitter Mike Napoli, as Threets was pulled for Sergio Santos. Napoli was a career .222 with the bases loaded and failed to drive in any, striking out on a Santos slider to end the inning.
Quentin added his second home run in the ninth to continue his stellar performance as the White Sox went up 8-2. Viciedo picked up another RBI on a base hit, scoring Jones from second base and giving the White Sox a 9-2 advantage.
The Angels were unable to score in the top of the ninth to end the ballgame.
Game two of this series between the White Sox and Angels will take place on Tuesday evening, pre-game starting at 4:00 p.m. on AM 830 KLAA, first pitch at 5:05 PT. Jered Weaver will take the mound against Jake Peavy.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com