The Chicago White Sox were looking for a solid start from pitcher Dylan Axelrod as they tried to get back in the win column on Wednesday night, and they managed to give him a nice little cushion to work with. The White Sox busted out for four runs in the first inning off Baltimore starter Joe Saunders, and Axelrod took the baton from there. In 7.1 innings, Axelrod allowed three hits and a single earned run while striking out five and walking four.
Those four first-inning runs came on a two-run double by Alex Rios and a two-run single by Alexei Ramirez. Gordon Beckham doubled home the fifth run in the fourth inning and singled home runs six and seven in the top of the sixth inning. In the top of the seventh, Dayan Viciedo singled home Adam Dunn, and when Axelrod came back out he was enjoying an 8-1 lead.
The win means the White Sox will at least have a chance to split their four-game set with the Orioles when the two teams take the field on Thursday afternoon.
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