March 27--The summary
White Sox right-hander Brad Penny gave up six earned runs on eight hits Thursday in a 9-6 Sox loss to the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. Penny, who made his third start of the spring trying to make the team as a non-roster invitee, walked three, struck out two and allowed a two-run homer to Yasiel Puig in four innings.
At the plate
Adam LaRoche's RBI double gave the Sox their only run off Clayton Kershaw in six innings.
On the mound
Reliever Zach Putnam, who had a rocky start this spring, had his second straight scoreless inning.
Key number
.488. Batting average for Sox first baseman Jose Abreu this spring after he went 3-for-3 on Thursday.
Feet failures
Sox third baseman Conor Gillaspie is dealing with plantar fasciitis in both feet but it hasn't affected him while playing.
The quote I
"I overthrew a little bit, and that's what I would do (when I was younger) ... and leave pitches a little too much on the plate, but you kind have to test your arm at some point in spring. I probably shouldn't have, but I did." -- Penny
The quote II
"I think it's more special about the respect that it shows from the staff, and the confidence to get the job done on a big day like that. I'm just excited, and you don't want to let them down, right?" -- Sox right-hander Jeff Samardzija on being named the opening day starter Wednesday.
Up next
White Sox at Cubs, 3:05 p.m. Friday. RH Jeff Samardzija vs. RH Jason Hammel.
