Juan Pierre just gets a piece of the ball against the Giants on Tuesday. (Phil Velasquez/Tribune)
By Mark Gonzales
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The one-hour rain delay Tuesday was worth the wait for John Danks and Tony Pena, as far as getting their work in.
Danks
succeeded in conditions that could be similar to what he could be facing April 9 when he faces the Minnesota Twins at U.S. Cellular Field.
Danks pitched three scoreless innings and struck out four while experiencing no circulation problems with a left index finger that caused him to miss one start last July.
"And the finger was great," Danks said. "I won't say that
was my concern, but it was my thought process going into the game. It was cool,
damp, and let's see how it goes. And everything was perfect."
Guillen
told the umpires that he was hoping to play at least four or five innings so
Danks and Pena would get their work in.
Guillen
said the Sox have a better idea about Pena's role now that they will have him
for a full season. Pena pitched a scoreless fourth and could play a bigger role
if needed.
There
was some humor when San Francisco second baseman Juan Uribe came to the plate in the first. Uribe, who
played for the Sox from 2004-08, visited the Sox's clubhouse during the rain
delay and heard some good natured heckling before striking out on an off-speed
pitch.
"We
all love Uribe," Guillen said. "He's a guy we always remember. He brought a few
things for the club. This guy is the type of guy who's welcomed to a club. A
lot of guys in this room love him, and it's nice to see him back in shape.
"I
think he learned a lesson from the last year. He showed up out of shape and
almost (didn't) make the club and he had a good year and he's a lot better now.
I'm glad to see that."
Unfortunately for the Sox, Jhonny Nunez allowed five runs in the eighth inning of a 6-2 loss. Nunez was late in covering first base but second baseman Jayson Nix was charged with an error.
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