New White Sox manager Terry Bevington wasted no time in putting his mark on his team. When Bevington presented his lineup card to umpires and to Detroit manager Sparky Anderson before Friday night’s game, it included two notable changes.
Tim Raines was batting in the leadoff position and Lance Johnson was in the No. 2 hole, both for the first time this season.
The new 1-2 punch started inauspiciously, going 0 for 2 in the first inning against David Wells. Raines grounded out and Johnson flied to left.
Once again, that meant that slugger Frank Thomas came up with the bases empty. He hit his ninth homer, giving Brian Keyser his first big-league lead.
A losing battle: Players held pregame batting practice in the cages beneath the third base stands. A tarp remained on the field until the rain stopped shortly before game time.
White Sox appearances: Shortstop Ozzie Guillen and outfielder Dave Martinez are scheduled to appear from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the White Sox Clubhouse Store in Oakbrook Center. They will sign autographs and answer fans’ questions.
Farm report: Prince William of the Class A Carolina League is the only one of six White Sox farm clubs with a winning record. The Cannons improved their record to 29-24 and widened their first-place lead to three games with a 9-8 victory over Salem. Magglio Ordonez had three hits, and Joe Durso had a home run and three RBI.
New radio perch: Ed Farmer and Ken Korach will broadcast Saturday’s Tigers-Sox game from the Stadium Club down the right-field line instead of their usual perch behind home plate.
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