March 12--The White Sox hit four homers, including three in four batters in the third inning, to top the Padres 8-3 in Peoria, Ariz. Leury Garcia struck first, homering against starter James Shields. Jimmy Rollins and Jose Abreu followed with Courtney Hawkins adding a towering shot in the fifth inning.
At the plate
Fifteen Sox players have combined for 20 homers in 10 games this spring.
On the mound
Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon pitched four scoreless innings without a walk. He allowed two hits and struck out three.
Key number
0: Sliders Rodon threw for the first time "maybe since, like, middle school," he said. He used only fastballs and changeups.
The quote
"It was pretty cool. Being able to go fastball-changeup and be able to succeed and compete with them was pretty awesome. Gave me a little more confidence." -- Rodon
The quote II
"Everybody understands what's up for (grabs). It starts in spring training, the winning mentality. Being a winning person, being a winning team, it carries over. ... Obviously we are facing a lot of guys we normally won't be facing during the season, but at the same time, it's just contagious, man. One guys hits, another guy hits. We just have to keep riding that bus as long as we can." -- Sox catcher Dioner Navarro
Up next
At Cubs, 2:05 p.m. Saturday. RH Erik Johnson vs. RH Jason Hammel.
