Chen delivers smooth effort against White Sox

KANSAS CITY -- Like well-aged wine, left-hander Bruce Chen was vintage stuff in his first start on Saturday in what became a 4-3 win over the White Sox.

"That's the Bruce Chen we've always known," first baseman Eric Hosmer said. "That's the way he's been. He gets guys frustrated out there and hits his spots all the time, mixes speeds up and he's pounding strikes. When you're a pitcher with no walks and you have our defense out there, you're going to have good days."

Chen not only had no walks, but he struck out seven in his 6 1/3 innings.

"He was great. He just pitched," manager Ned Yost said. "Changed speeds, his 87-mph fastball looked like it was 98 because he used it right and his changeup was great."

The White Sox even used Dayan Viciedo in the No. 3 lineup spot because he'd been 10-for-29 with three homers against Chen. But Chen held him to a single in three at-bats with a strikeout and a popup.

"He just does what Bruce does. It's just amazing that at this point in his career, he's as productive as he is," Yost said. "It's a tremendous work ethic, a lot of homework that he does."