Despite loss, rookies enjoy special night in New York

BALTIMORE -- White Sox righty Daniel Webb could hear his cell phone buzzing with text messages throughout the night after making his Major League debut Wednesday in a 6-5 loss to the Yankees.

Adding to the pressure, Webb had to stare down future Hall of Famer Derek Jeter as the first batter he faced. It was a moment he will cherish the rest of his life.

"It was unbelievable," Webb said. "I never thought it would be at Yankee Stadium, but it was. And the first batter I faced was Derek Jeter. I'll never forget it."

Webb entered in the seventh and allowed a walk to Jeter, a single to Robinson Cano and then a sacrifice fly to Alfonso Soriano. He threw 15 pitches in the inning, and is looking forward to his next opportunity.

Webb had successful stints with three Minor League clubs this season and was called up from Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday. He had a 1.87 ERA over 62 2/3 innings in the Minors.

"It's been a crazy road getting here, starting out in High A -- I threw well -- to [Double-A] Birmingham where we clinched a playoff spot and then to [Triple-A] Charlotte to finish there strong," Webb said. "I get to September and the callup was great. It was always something I wanted to do. It was nice to call my parents and tell them I got the callup. A lot of things clicked for me this season."

Webb wasn't the only prospect to get an opportunity against the Yankees.

Righty Erik Johnson also made his debut after getting called up Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday and allowed three runs on seven hits with one strikeout and three walks over six innings.

Marcus Semien got his first career start at third base and went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

White Sox manager Robin Ventura said the young players will continue to get a chance to contribute for the rest of the season. He said there was not much of an intimidation factor for any of them having to face the Yankees in their first game.

"These guys don't care when they show up as long as they get to show up," Ventura said. "That's pretty much the feeling I get from them.