Manager Terry Bevington remains undecided on his starting pitcher for the second game of Monday’s twi-night double-header against California. Wilson Alvarez will start the first game.
The Sox’s second-game starter, Bevington said before Sunday’s game, may depend on how deep the Sox have to go into their bullpen in Monday’s first game. Candidates to start Game 2? “It could be anybody who’s been pitching in long relief,” said Bevington, “Brian Keyser, Kirk McCaskill, Mike Sirotka.”
McCaskill (5-4) pulled out of that race when he pitched the 10th Sunday and was awarded the victory. That leaves Sirotka or Keyser for Game 2 Monday, probably Sirotka.
Just the ticket: Ozzie Guillen, Frank Thomas, Harold Baines and Dave Martinez will purchase tickets to be distributed for Monday’s double-header among youth and church groups.
Kudos to Kreuter: Backup catcher Chad Kreuter contributed to Sunday’s victory. He homered in the eighth to tie the game 6-6. Just before Ray Durham’s game-winning double in the 10th, Kreuter battled Lee Guetterman seven pitches into the count before walking.
“I think long counts are characteristic of good major-league baseball games,” said Kreuter. “These are two good teams, hanging it all on the line. Players up here give 100 percent, or they wouldn’t be up here.”