CHICAGO — On a wild day at Wrigley Field when Kerry Wood retired, Paul Konerko got hit in the face with a pitch and manager Dale Sveum was ejected, the Chicago White Sox added to their recent success against the Cubs.

Gordon Beckham hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning, and the White Sox beat the Cubs 3-2 on Friday, their 16th win in the past 22 interleague games against their crosstown rivals.”I think that was more than the typical game. It seemed like there was a lot of stuff going on,” Beckham said.Beckham’s solo shot and a two-run drive by Konerko in the first were the only runs allowed by Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija (4-2).Konerko sustained a laceration above his left eye and swelling when he was hit by Samardzija’s pitch in the third inning and had to leave the game. He was to have more tests to determine the extent of the injury and his status for the remainder of the series.”You never want that for anybody that you’re playing with or anybody on their team. You never want to see anybody hit in the head. It was pretty scary. He walked off, so we figured he was OK,” Beckham said.White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski said he went to the clubhouse to check on Konerko.”I saw him before he left,” Pierzynski said. “His eye was pretty swelled up, but he was pretty cognizant, didn’t say he was dizzy or anything. I’ve seen him get hit before and go to first. I was a little scared when he didn’t get right up, but he seemed fine and we’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”Samardzija, who came to the plate to check on Konerko, said he wasn’t trying to hit the White Sox star.”It’s unfortunate. There’re a lot of superstars that put up big numbers, get paid a lot of money and Paulie’s one of those guys who is a superstar and does it the right way. There’s not too many of those guys out there. He’s not about show or about himself,” Samardzija said.”Paulie’s a good guy and that ball got away and unfortunately hit him up high. If I could take it back, I would. The only thing that makes me OK about it is he’s a tough guy. I hope he’ll be all right.”White Sox starter Philip Humber threw high behind Cubs cleanup hitter Bryan LaHair in the fourth, prompting a warning from plate umpire Tim Timmons.Sveum, ejected in the fifth for arguing a call at second base, reiterated the Cubs weren’t trying to hit Konerko, especially since it was a splitter from Samardzija. And he said if Humber’s pitch was indeed retaliation, he would have appreciated it being thrown much lower.”That one just got away from me and just one of those things that happens during a game,” Humber said.Wood, who began his major league career with the Cubs in 1998 and struck out 20 Houston Astros batters in his fifth major league start, took the mound to rousing cheers after word got out that he intended to retire after the game. When he struck out Dayan Viciedo on three pitches — the only batter Wood faced — he was taken out as teammates congratulated him on the mound and Dunn doffed his batting helmet and clapped from first base.The 34-year-old Wood, hampered by injuries this season and throughout his career, left to a standing ovation and was hugged by his son as he reached the dugout. Moments later, Wood emerged for a curtain call, waving his cap to fans as James Russell threw warmup pitches.Wood played slightly more than 13 seasons in the big leagues, most of them with the Cubs.”It’s time,” he said afterward.Konerko’s 19th career homer in 66 games against the Cubs came one out after a first-inning single by Beckham and made it 2-0.But the Cubs responded in the bottom half. David DeJesus led off with a fly-ball double into the ivy in left field and Tony Campana had a bunt single when Humber slipped down trying to field it. Campana then stole second before Starlin Castro‘s long sacrifice fly made it 2-1 and sent Campana to third. Humber then struck out LaHair and got Alfonso Soriano to fly out.The Cubs tied it in the seventh when Ian Stewart led off with a single and one out later Darwin Barney doubled to finish Humber after just 66 pitches. Matt Thornton (2-3) came in and Samardzija bounced his first pitch through the left side for an RBI single to tie the game and put runners at first and third. DeJesus popped out and so did Campana on a bunt attempt, ending the inning.Samardzija allowed six hits and three runs in 7 1/3 innings with two walks and eight strikeouts.Humber gave up five hits and two runs in 6 1/3 innings. He is 0-2 with three no-decisions since pitching a perfect game against Seattle on April 21.Addison Reed got his fourth save in four chances with a scoreless ninth that included a double by Barney when White Sox right fielder Alex Rios lost his two-out fly in the sun.

Game notes

White Sox 3B Brent Morel was a late scratch with a sore back that has bothered him off and on this season. He was replaced by Eduardo Escobar. … Cubs C Geovany Soto will have surgery on a torn meniscus in his left knee and will miss three to four weeks. … The Cubs called up catcher Blake Lalli from Triple-A Iowa and optioned struggling right-hander Chris Volstad (0-6) to their top farm club.

Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press

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Kerry Wood strikes out one in final outing; Paul Konerko hurt – ESPN

May 18, 2012, 5:38 pm

JJ
STANKEVITZ

The White Sox may have pulled out a 3-2 win over the Cubs Friday at Wrigley Field, but the loss suffered in the third inning may loom larger.

A 2-2 splitter from Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija ran inside on Paul Konerko, hitting him in the face and leaving the White Sox captain crumpled in a heap at home plate for a few scary moments. The 36-year-old first baseman got up and had to be escorted off the field with a towel pinned to his face, as he suffered a small cut above his left eye thanks to the 85 mile per hour pitch.

“You never want to see a guy get hurt, period. To have a ball around someone’s head is a scary situation,” catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. “It’s something you don’t want to see.”

Manager Robin Ventura said he didn’t have an update on Konerko’s status, which was announced as just a laceration and swelling, although he was set to undergo further tests. Pierzynski saw Konerko before he left the park, though, and offered somewhat encouraging news.

“His eye was pretty swelled up, but he was cognizant and didn’t say he was dizzy or anything,” Pierzynski said. “I’ve seen him get hit before and get up and go to first. It was a little scary when he didn’t get right up. He seemed fine and we’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”

Konerko homered in his previous at-bat, so when Samardzija’s offering sailed inside, naturally there were calls for blood from the White Sox fans in attendance at Wrigley Field. The Sox, however, weren’t playing that game — at least, so they say.

Philip Humber threw a fastball up and behind Bryan LaHair to lead off the bottom of the fourth, a pitch Humber and Ventura insist just got away from the White Sox starter. But home plate umpire Tim Timmons had other ideas and issued a warning to both benches.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum didn’t label the pitch as retaliatory, but if it was, he thought the Sox could have done a better and safer job of sending the message.

“Are you expecting retaliation of somebody throwing at somebody else’s head? No,” Sveum said. “Unfortunately, you’re not really expecting any retaliation after somebody gets hit by a split-finger fastball. We’re obviously not trying to hit Paul with any kind of pitch like that.

“But if there’s retaliation, you’d sure appreciate if the guy throws a little bit lower than he did. Unfortunately, you know, he didn’t.”

Sveum, essentially, just hoped the pitch got away from Humber and that it wasn’t thrown in response to Konerko’s beaning. Ventura tried to add some credence to that thought after the game.

“If we wanted to do anything, we would have hit him,” Ventura said, referring to Samardzija, who led off the bottom of the third. “It’s just baseball, you just keep going.”

“That one just got away from me,” added Humber. “It’s just one of those things that happens during the game.”


Pierzynski and Samardzija chatted before the Cubs pitcher came up to hit in the third, during which Samardzija apologized. From the sound of it, Pierzynski and his teammates knew the beaning wasn’t intentional.

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White Sox not taking exception with Konerko’s beaning – csnchicago.com

CHICAGO (AP) — On a wild day at Wrigley Field when Kerry Wood retired, Paul Konerko got hit in the face with a pitch and
manager Dale Sveum was ejected, the Chicago White Sox added to their recent success against the Cubs.

Gordon Beckham hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning and the White Sox beat the Cubs 3-2 Friday, their 16th win in
the last 22 interleague games against their crosstown rivals.

“I think that was more than the typical game. It seemed like there was a lot of stuff going on,” Beckham said.

Beckham’s solo shot and a two-run drive by Konerko in the first were the only runs allowed by Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija
(4-2).

Konerko sustained a laceration above his left eye and swelling when he was hit by Samardzija’s pitch in the third inning and
had to leave the game. More tests revealed no further injury to Konerko’s eye. The team said he would be re-evaluated before
Saturday night’s game.

“You never want that for anybody that you’re playing with or anybody on their team. You never want to see anybody hit in the
head. It was pretty scary. He walked off, so we figured he was OK,” Beckham said.

White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski said he went to the clubhouse to check on Konerko.

“I saw him before he left,” Pierzynski said. “His eye was pretty swelled up, but he was pretty cognizant, didn’t say he was
dizzy or anything. I’ve seen him get hit before and go to first. I was a little scared when he didn’t get right up, but he
seemed fine and we’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”

Samardzija, who came to the plate to check on Konerko, said he wasn’t trying to hit the White Sox star.

“It’s unfortunate. There’re a lot of superstars that put up big numbers, get paid a lot of money and Paulie’s one of those
guys who is a superstar and does it the right way. There’s not too many of those guys out there. He’s not about show or about
himself,” Samardzija said.

“Paulie’s a good guy and that ball got away and unfortunately hit him up high. If I could take it back, I would. The only
thing that makes me OK about it is he’s a tough guy. I hope he’ll be all right.”

White Sox starter Phil Humber threw high behind Cubs cleanup hitter Bryan LaHair in the fourth, prompting a warning from plate
umpire Tim Timmons.

Sveum, ejected in the fifth for arguing a call at second base, reiterated the Cubs weren’t trying to hit Konerko, especially
since it was a splitter from Samardzija. And he said if Humber’s pitch was indeed retaliation, he would have appreciated it
being thrown much lower.

“That one just got away from me and just one of those things that happens during a game,” Humber said.

Wood, who began his major league career with the Cubs in 1998 and struck out 20 Houston Astros batters in his fifth major
league start, took the mound to rousing cheers after word got out that he intended to retire after the game. When he struck
out Dayan Viciedo on three pitches – the only batter Wood faced – he was taken out as teammates congratulated him on the mound
and Dunn doffed his batting helmet and clapped from first base.

The 34-year-old Wood, hampered by injuries this season and throughout his career, left to a standing ovation and was hugged
by his son as he reached the dugout. Moments later, Wood emerged for a curtain call, waving his cap to fans as James Russell
threw warmup pitches.

Wood played slightly more than 13 seasons in the big leagues, most of them with the Cubs.

“It’s time,” he said afterward.

Konerko’s 19th career homer in 66 games against the Cubs came one out after a first-inning single by Beckham and made it 2-0.

But the Cubs responded in the bottom half. David DeJesus led off with a fly-ball double into the ivy in left field and Tony
Campana had a bunt single when Humber slipped down trying to field it. Campana then stole second before Starlin Castro ‘s
long sacrifice fly made it 2-1 and sent Campana to third. Humber then struck out LaHair and got Alfonso Soriano to fly out.

The Cubs tied it in the seventh when Ian Stewart led off with a single and one out later Darwin Barney doubled to finish Humber
after just 66 pitches. Matt Thornton (2-3) came in and Samardzija bounced his first pitch through the left side for an RBI
single to tie the game and put runners at first and third. DeJesus popped out and so did Campana on a bunt attempt, ending
the inning.

Samardzija allowed six hits and three runs in 7 1-3 innings with two walks and eight strikeouts.

Humber gave up five hits and two runs in 6 1-3 innings. He is 0-2 with three no-decisions since pitching a perfect game against
Seattle on April 21.

Addison Reed got his fourth save in four chances with a scoreless ninth that included a double by Barney when White Sox right
fielder Alex Rios lost his two-out fly in the sun.

NOTES: White Sox 3B Brent Morel was a late scratch with a sore back that has bothered him off and on this season. He was replaced
by Eduardo Escobar . … Cubs C Geovany Soto will have surgery on a torn meniscus in his left knee and will miss three to
four weeks. … The Cubs called up catcher Blake Lalli from Triple-A Iowa and optioned struggling right-hander Chris Volstad
(0-6) to their top farm club.

© 2011 STATS LLC

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Continued here:
Cubs lose, Wood finishes career with K

CBSSports.com wire reports
May 18, 2012

CHICAGO — On a wild day at Wrigley Field when Kerry Wood retired, Paul Konerko got hit in the face with a pitch and manager Dale Sveum was ejected, the Chicago White Sox added to their recent success against the Cubs.

Gordon Beckham hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning and the White Sox beat the Cubs 3-2 Friday, their 16th win in the last 22 interleague games against their crosstown rivals.

“I think that was more than the typical game. It seemed like there was a lot of stuff going on,” Beckham said.

Beckham’s solo shot and a two-run drive by Konerko in the first were the only runs allowed by Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija (4-2).

Konerko sustained a laceration above his left eye and swelling when he was hit by Samardzija’s pitch in the third inning and had to leave the game. He was to have more tests to determine the extent of the injury and his status for the remainder of the series.

“You never want that for anybody that you’re playing with or anybody on their team. You never want to see anybody hit in the head. It was pretty scary. He walked off, so we figured he was OK,” Beckham said.

White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski said he went to the clubhouse to check on Konerko.

“I saw him before he left,” Pierzynski said. “His eye was pretty swelled up, but he was pretty cognizant, didn’t say he was dizzy or anything. I’ve seen him get hit before and go to first. I was a little scared when he didn’t get right up, but he seemed fine and we’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”

Samardzija, who came to the plate to check on Konerko, said he wasn’t trying to hit the White Sox star.

“It’s unfortunate. There’re a lot of superstars that put up big numbers, get paid a lot of money and Paulie’s one of those guys who is a superstar and does it the right way. There’s not too many of those guys out there. He’s not about show or about himself,” Samardzija said.

“Paulie’s a good guy and that ball got away and unfortunately hit him up high. If I could take it back, I would. The only thing that makes me OK about it is he’s a tough guy. I hope he’ll be all right.”

White Sox starter Phil Humber threw high behind Cubs cleanup hitter Bryan LaHair in the fourth, prompting a warning from plate umpire Tim Timmons.

Sveum, ejected in the fifth for arguing a call at second base, reiterated the Cubs weren’t trying to hit Konerko, especially since it was a splitter from Samardzija. And he said if Humber’s pitch was indeed retaliation, he would have appreciated it being thrown much lower.

“That one just got away from me and just one of those things that happens during a game,” Humber said.

Wood, who began his major league career with the Cubs in 1998 and struck out 20 Houston Astros batters in his fifth major league start, took the mound to rousing cheers after word got out that he intended to retire after the game. When he struck out Dayan Viciedo on three pitches — the only batter Wood faced — he was taken out as teammates congratulated him on the mound and Dunn doffed his batting helmet and clapped from first base.

The 34-year-old Wood, hampered by injuries this season and throughout his career, left to a standing ovation and was hugged by his son as he reached the dugout. Moments later, Wood emerged for a curtain call, waving his cap to fans as James Russell threw warmup pitches.

Wood played slightly more than 13 seasons in the big leagues, most of them with the Cubs.

“It’s time,” he said afterward.

Konerko’s 19th career homer in 66 games against the Cubs came one out after a first-inning single by Beckham and made it 2-0.

But the Cubs responded in the bottom half. David DeJesus led off with a fly-ball double into the ivy in left field and Tony Campana had a bunt single when Humber slipped down trying to field it. Campana then stole second before Starlin Castro’s long sacrifice fly made it 2-1 and sent Campana to third. Humber then struck out LaHair and got Alfonso Soriano to fly out.

The Cubs tied it in the seventh when Ian Stewart led off with a single and one out later Darwin Barney doubled to finish Humber after just 66 pitches. Matt Thornton (2-3) came in and Samardzija bounced his first pitch through the left side for an RBI single to tie the game and put runners at first and third. DeJesus popped out and so did Campana on a bunt attempt, ending the inning.

Samardzija allowed six hits and three runs in 7 1-3 innings with two walks and eight strikeouts.

Humber gave up five hits and two runs in 6 1-3 innings. He is 0-2 with three no-decisions since pitching a perfect game against Seattle on April 21.

Addison Reed got his fourth save in four chances with a scoreless ninth that included a double by Barney when White Sox right fielder Alex Rios lost his two-out fly in the sun.

Notes

• White Sox 3B Brent Morel was a late scratch with a sore back that has bothered him off and on this season. He was replaced by Eduardo Escobar.
• Cubs C Geovany Soto will have surgery on a torn meniscus in his left knee and will miss three to four weeks.
• The Cubs called up catcher Blake Lalli from Triple-A Iowa and optioned struggling right-hander Chris Volstad (0-6) to their top farm club.

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Chicago White Sox at Chicago Cubs – CBS Sports

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Continued here:
White Sox beat Cubs 3-2 in Kerry Wood's finale

Gordon Beckham spoiled Kerry Wood’s retirement
with a go-ahead solo homer in the eighth as the White Sox took a 3-2 victory
over the Cubs in the opener of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.

With the game tied at 2-2 in the eighth, Beckham lifted Jeff Samardzija’s
splitter into the bleachers in left field to give Chicago a one-run edge.

After Samardzija walked Adam Dunn, Wood entered for presumably the last time.
The 34-year-old announced before the game that he was planning on retiring
after his next appearance.

He fanned Dayan Viciedo on three pitches before being removed to a standing
ovation from the Wrigley faithful with his son Justin on the top step of the
dugout to great him.

Paul Konerko hit a two-run blast in the first while Matt Thornton (2-3) got
the win for retiring the final two batters in the seventh. Addison Reed
recorded his fourth save with a scoreless ninth for the Sox, who have won two
straight.

Samardzija (4-2) took the loss after tossing 7 1/3 innings and yielding three
runs on six hits with eight strikeouts. He also knocked in a run in defeat as
the Cubs dropped their fourth straight.

©2012 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Excerpt from:
White Sox top Cubs in Wood’s farewell – KGET TV 17

It started as an experiment. Now, South Kitsap junior Michael Wood cannot imagine himself anywhere else on the diamond.

Wood was a third baseman two years ago for his South Kitsap Wolfpack team and decided on a whim to try pitching.He never has turned back.

“I was kind of trying pitching out,” Wood said. “Now it’s my favorite thing to do.”

He now has emerged as the Wolves’ closer on a pitching staff that might feature more depth than any point of coach Jim Fairweather’s nine-year tenure. While he said he would prefer to start, Wood enjoys closing out games started by left-hander Kellen Traxel, who has committed to play at the University of Washington, and Josh Johnston.

Fairweather said Wood’s mentality makes him a great fit for the bullpen.

“I just like what he does,” he said. “He knows how to set hitters up and get ahead. He comes out and starts pumping the ball.

“When he comes out he oozes confidence. You like that out of a kid.”

Wood said it has been easy for him to cultivate that mentality.

“When you’ve got a great defense behind you, it’s easy to be fearless,” he said.

The 6-foot Wood does it unconventionally. He releases pitches from a three-quarters arm slot, which he said “helps with the movement of my fastball” that reaches about 85 mph.

“I like to use my fastball to challenge people,” he said. “Make them hit it.”

Wood throws two- and four-seam fastballs, a splitter and curveball. He also has experimented with a slider, but said he has abandoned the pitch for now because of concerns about the strain it puts on his arm.

Fairweather likes that Wood has been able to throw each pitch for strikes. Wood entered the Class 4A Narrows League Tournament with a 2-1 record and a 1.02 ERA. He had 21 strikeouts to just 10 walks.

But Wood still feels that his command can improve.

“I have more walks than I would like,” he said. “I’ve almost been too perfect with my placement.”

Wood might be able to get away with that more if his velocity improves. His brother, Steven, added a couple of inches when he was a senior at South and he feels he might be able to do the same — and add a little to his fastball in the process.

But Wood cautioned that there is much more to pitching than velocity.

“It doesn’t matter how hard you can throw if you can’t place it,” he said.

Wood believes consistency — and confidence — are attributes the Wolves share as they enter the West Central/Southwest Bi-district tournament.

“I’ve played with these guys since I was 10 or 11 years old,” he said. “We know we can get it done. It’s a good atmosphere.”

Contact Port Orchard Independent Staff writer Chris Chancellor at cchancellor@portorchardindependent.com or (360) 876-4414.

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See original here:
Baseball: South Kitsap's Wood finds niche in bullpen