Lee: Strokes a single
(c) Associated Press
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Chris Sale struck out six over four innings while allowing just one run on three hits as the Chicago White Sox stymied the Astros, 5-1, at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday. Carlos Lee singled home Angel Sanchez in the bottom of the first with the only Houston run but Sale shut the door after that.
Chicago plated two runs in the top of the second off Bud Norris on a single from Alejandro De Aza. Norris lasted just three innings before turning things over to the bullpen.
In the fifth, Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko slammed back-to-back homers off David Carpenter to expand the White Sox lead. They got their final run in the ninth off Brett Myers.
Houston registered seven hits, all singles, and threatened to score in the final two innings but came up short. One of the hits was from Jordan Schafer who returned to action for the first time since hurting his hand while making a sliding catch in Florida.
With Schafer's return, the Astros announced J.B. Shuck had been optioned to AAA Oklahoma City, meaning either Travis Buck or Justin Ruggiano will win the fourth outfield spot.
The two-game exhibition series with the White Sox concludes Wednesday afternoon in a 1:05 Central tilt. Lefty J.A. Happ will get the final tune-up for the Astros before Opening Day arrives on Friday night.
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