Offense unable to support Arroyo, Galarraga
Starter allows two runs on five hits over two innings; bats collect four hits
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Jose Quintana threw three perfect innings to start Saturday's 4-0 White Sox victory over the Reds at Camelback Ranch.
Needless to say, the White Sox southpaw was happy with his 2013 Cactus League debut. And even though Bronson Arroyo allowed two runs on five hits over two innings, he was satisfied with his first start of Spring Training as well.
"It happens a lot in spring where guys are in a different mindframe. You get two strikes on a guy and it's hard to put them away in Spring Training," Arroyo said. "There's not as much setup to the game. It's more freewheeling.
"A couple of times I had 0-2 counts, I was just trying to throw a pitch that maybe you wouldn't necessarily throw in an 0-2 count. I was just seeing if I could freeze a guy or something or get some action and those were the balls they were hitting and jamming off of their hands. It's the way it goes."
Arroyo allowed a run-scoring bloop double to Jared Mitchell and a run-scoring single to Carlos Sanchez during the second inning. He also struck out Brent Morel and didn't issue a walk.
Quintana cruised through three innings on just 39 pitches and only two three-ball counts. He struck out Miguel Olivo and Jay Bruce.
"I feel very good about this," said Quintana through translator and White Sox coach Lino Diaz. "I've been working hard and I feel that I saw some of the results from my hard work. I'm expecting a very good season."
Along with the second-inning double, Mitchell launched an opposite-field homer to left-center in the fourth off Armando Galarraga. The young outfielder was the lone player to have multiple hits. Conor Gillaspie added a solo homer in the sixth, giving him two home runs and seven RBIs in Cactus League action.
Reds up next: The Reds will return to Goodyear Ballpark on Sunday to host the Royals at 3:05 p.m. ET, broadcast live on Gameday Audio. Homer Bailey, who threw only 15 pitches in one inning in his first start vs. the Padres on Tuesday, will work in his second outing of spring. Zack Cozart, who was off on Saturday, made some slick defensive plays on Thursday and Friday and should be back in the lineup.