ED WALSH WINS PITCHER’S DUEL AS WHITE SOX EDGE ANGELS 1-0
Eternal Baseball Press
ANAHEIM – It was one of the best pitching matchups on Opening Day, and it did not disappoint.
Hall of Famers Ed Walsh and Nolan Ryan locked horns and a first inning hiccup proved to be the difference in Chicago’s 1-0 victory over Los Angeles on Opening Day.
Ryan retired Shoeless Joe Jackson to start the game, but struggled to find his command in an erratic first inning. Yoan Moncada singled to right field and immediately stole second base. Back-to-back walks to Robin Ventura and Frank Thomas loaded the bases, and Magglio Ordonez’s sacrifice fly scored Moncada with the game’s only run. Eddie Collins grounded out to end the inning.
Ryan found his groove after escaping the first inning, and Ed Walsh was in firm control all night for Chicago. Both pitchers walked a few batters, but Ryan and Walsh combined to allow only five hits on the day. Ryan eventually ran out of gas after seven innings and 121 pitches. But as good as Ryan was, Walsh was a little sharper – twirling a complete game shutout on just 109 pitches.
Walsh (1-0) won his first start of the season (9 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 8 K) while Ryan (0-1) took the hard-luck loss (7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K). Los Angeles relievers Troy Percival and Francisco Rodriguez combined for two scoreless innings out of the Angels bullpen.
Game two of this three-game set is tomorrow night, Los Angeles sends right-hander Andy Messersmith to the mound to face Chicago lefty Doc White. First pitch from Angel Stadium is at 7:05 PM PST.
Photo Credit: Panorama of Angels Stadium by Ben W
Recent Comments