Tim Lincecum Makes White Sox Look Silly, Lillibridge Makes a Statement

The defending World Champs were in the house today, and Tim Lincecum looks to be in mid-season form. That’s good news for the Giants, but doesn’t mean much to the White Sox, who wouldn’t have to deal with him until October.

Lincecum struck out seven batters over 5 1/3 innings, including two Ks of Gordon Beckham, Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko. San Francisco won 5-3.

The only offense generated off of Lincecum was a leadoff single by Konerko in the second inning, followed by an RBI-triple off of Alex Rios’ bat.

Other than that, the White Sox looked helpless against the former Cy Young winner.

There was plenty of good news coming out of camp Wednesday, as Opening Day starter Mark Buehrle rebounded from two atrocious outings to throw five solid innings, giving up just one run. He scattered seven hits and walked a batter, but he also recorded three strikeouts – two looking. That means his location is coming around.

Manager Ozzie Guillen was thrilled for Buehrle after the game, saying he really needed an outing like that before breaking camp.

Also, Brent Lillibridge his a two-run homer in the seventh inning and missed a walk-off homer by about 15 feet in the ninth. He’s thrust himself back into the equation for that coveted final (non-pitching) roster spot. Guillen mentioned Lillibridge, De Aza and Milledge when talking about the spot after the game.

De Aza was actually victim of a terrible call by the umpiring crew. He hit a home run in the eighth that would have brought the White Sox within one, but the ball came back into play and the umps never called it a home run. He had pulled up at second base, but decided to trot to third, where he was thrown out.

It won’t be make or break for De Aza’s chances of making the team, but that was still unfortunate for him, given how Milledge and Lillibridge have been playing.

Finally, Brent Morel was stellar on defense again today and had a couple good at-bats. He’s winning like Charlie Sheen.

Chris Sale was supposed to make his first start of the spring tomorrow in a split squad game against Colorado, but will relieve Edwin Jackson against Milwaukee instead.